View source for Korea (1908) 20 chon

[[Image:SA39-3427o.jpg|300px|thumb|Steve Album sale 39, lot 3427]]
[[Image:SA39-3427r.jpg|300px|thumb]]

This specimen was lot 3427 in Stephen Album sale 39 (Santa Rosa, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $180. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, "[[Korea|KOREA]]: Yung Hi, 1907-1910, AR 20 chon, year 2 (1908), light surface hairlines, AU, ex D. R. Bain Collection."  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 type was struck years 2-4 and was the last of the denomination. Despite the large mintage, it is scarce but not rare.

''Recorded Mintage:'' 3,000,000.

''Specification:'' 4.05 g, 0.800 fine silver, 20 mm diameter.

''Catalog reference:'' KM-1140.

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed.,'' Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
* <sup>[1]</sup>Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, ''Auction 39, featuring the John Sylvester, Jr., Collection of Annamese Medals and Orders'', Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2020.

''Link to:''
* [[Korea (1906) 20 chon]]
* [[Korea (1908) 1/2 chon|(1908) half chon]]
* [[Korea (1908) chon|(1908) chon]]
* [[Korea (1908) 10 chon|(1908) 10 chon]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1908]]

[[Category: Selections from Stephen Album sale 39]]