Korea (1909) chon
This specimen was lot 24144 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (Newport Beach, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $1,140. The catalog description[1] noted, "KOREA. Chon, Year 3 (1909). PCGS MS-65 Red Gold Shield. Tied for second finest certified of the date with two other examples on the PCGS population report, only two finer (MS 66 RD). A sharply struck and very attractive example with nearly complete original mint bloom that complements the intricate design features. A fabulous representative of the type such as the present survivor seldom appears on the market and as such should be considered a real treat for the specialist." Korea, long a protectorate of the Chinese empire, was attempting to organize herself as a fully independent nation when she fell victim to the power struggle between Russia and Japan. Japanese influence, predominant after the Sino-Japanese war of 1895, was challenged by Russian expansionism in the late 1890's. This culminated in the Russo-Japanese war of 1905 and Russian defeat. Japan annexed Korea in 1910 and colonized her until 1945. This specimen was struck in year 3 of the reign of Yung Hi (r. 1907-10) along with a half chon and ten chon.
Recorded mintage: 9,200,000, the most common date.
Specification: 4.2 g, bronze, 24 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-1137; K&C-39.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The January 2021 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Oro del Nuevo Mundo and Matt Orsini Collections, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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