South Korea 1971 100 won
This specimen was lot 755 in Stephen Album internet sale 28 (Santa Rosa, CA, July 2024), where it sold for $54. The catalog description[1] noted, "KOREA (SOUTH): 100 Won, 1972, Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598), Korea's national hero, a wonderful example, PCGS graded MS64." South Korea is today a prosperous nation filled with teenagers playing video games. However, in 1971, South Korea was still recovering from the devastation of the Korean War (1950-53) which more or less flattened the entire country. Little coinage was emitted prior to the reform of 1968. This type was issued 1970-82. Today (July 2024) US$1 = 1,383 won, making this coin worth about seven cents. The obverse features admiral Yi Sun-Shin (1545-98), who defeated the Japanese on multiple occasions.
Recorded mintage: 13,000,000, a scarce date.
Specification: 5.42 g, copper-nickel, 24 mm diameter, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM-9.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Internet Auction 28, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
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