South Korea 1974 100 won
This specimen was lot 3720 in Steve Album Auction 51 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2025), where it sold for $144. The catalog description[1] noted, "KOREA (SOUTH): Republic, 100 won, 1974, lustrous with nice light toning, key date, PCGS graded MS65." 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: 50,000,000.
Specifications: 5.42 g, copper-nickel, 24 mm diameter.
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, Auction 51, featuring the Howard Daniel III Collection of Asian Coins, the Almer H. Orr III Collection of World Coins and the Joe Sedillot Collection of German Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
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