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The Bank of Korea

The Bank of Korea supplies liquidity to the economy by issuing banknotes and coins

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Brief history of current Korea notes in circulation

Denomination

First Issue

Enhancement

Date

Size

Design

Strengthening of security features
50,000won
June 23, 2009
-
-
-
-
10,000won
June 12, 1973
June 15, 1979
X
O

Added 3 kinds of colored thread incorporated in the notes.
October 8, 1983
O
O

See-through register, braille dots introduced for the blind.
January 20, 1994
X
O

Incorporation of windowed security thread, micro lettering, latent image, interference pattern, etc.
June 19, 2000
X
O

Incorporation of color-shifting ink, SPAS and enlargement of the windowed security thread and watermark, and removal of interference pattern.
January 22, 2007
O
O

Incorporation of hologram, security thread and watermark bar.

Enhancement of color-shifting ink, intaglio latent image, see-through register and watermark.
5,000won
June 1, 1977
June 1, 1977
X
O

Added 3 kinds of colored thread incorporated in the notes.
June 11, 1983
X
O

See-through register, braille recognition introduced for the blind.
June 12, 2002
X
O

Incorporation of windowed security thread with hologram letters and enlargement of braille dots for the blind, and both the intaglio printing and the braille recognition raised more prominently.
January 2, 2006
O
O

Incorporation of hologram, security thread, color shifting ink, intaglio latent image micro lettering and SPAS.

Enhancement of watermark, see-through register and watermark bar.
1,000won
August 14, 1975
June 11, 1983
O
O

See-through register, braille recognition introduced for the blind.
January 22, 2007
O
O

Incorporation of color shifting ink, windowed security thread, intaglio latent image, micro lettering and SPAS.

Enhancement of watermark and see-through register.

10,000 won note

front of 10,000-won note issued on 12.June,1973(obverse) back of 10,000-won note issued on 12.June,1973(reverse)

Denomination
Ga 10,000-won note
First issue
June 12, 1973
Issue ceased
1981. 11. 10
Standard
171×81㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of King Sejong the Great (obverse), Gyeongbokgung Geunjeongjeon (reverse)
Comment

Manufacturing by KOMSCO(Korea Minting & Security Printing Corporation.Original plate produced in Japan.)

The width of banknotes varied by denomination but the height was standardized.

Its issue was planned for 1972 together with the Ga 5,000-won note, but because of the problems with the main design themes(Seokguram, Bulguksa) it carried the portrait of King Sejong the Great and was issued in 1973.
front of 10,000-won note issued on 15.June,1979(obverse) back of 10,000-won note issued on 15.June,1979(reverse)

Denomination
Na 10,000-won note
First issue
June 15, 1979
Issue ceased
May 12, 1993
Standard
171×81㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of King Sejong the Great (obverse) Gyeonghoeru, mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO. Original plate produced in Japan.

King Sejong the Great’s official portrait selected.
front of 10,000-won note issued on 8.October,1983(obverse) back of 10,000-won note issued on 8.October,1983(reverse)

Denomination
Da 10,000-won note
First issue
October 8, 1983
Issue ceased
Sep. 1993 ceased producing
Standard
161×76㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of King Sejong the Great (obverse) Gyeonghoeru (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO. Original plate produced in KOMSCO.

Issued under Plan for Maintenance of the Currency System.
front of 10,000-won note issued on 20.January,1994(obverse) back of 10,000-won note issued on 20.January,1994(reverse)

Denomination
La 10,000-won note
First issue
January 20, 1994
Issue ceased
Jan. 2000 ceased producing
Standard
161×76㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of King Sejong the Great (obverse) Gyeonghoeru (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO. Original plate of Da 10,000-won note was revised and supplemented.

Enhancement of security features to cope with the deregulation of imports of color printers. Incorporation of reinforced windowed security features, micro lettering, latent image, interference pattern.
front of 10,000-won note issued on 19.June,2000(obverse) back of 10,000-won note issued on 19.June,2000(reverse)

Denomination
Ma 10,000-won note
First issue
June 19, 2000
Issue ceased
Still being issued
Standard
161×76㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of King Sejong the Great (obverse) Gyeonghoeru (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO. Original plate of Da 10,000-won note was revised and supplemented.

Enhancement of security features to cope with the popularity of computers, scanners and color printers. Incorporation of color-shifting ink, SPAS and enlargement of the windowed security thread and watermark, and removal of interference pattern.
front of 10,000-won note issued on 22. January,2007(obverse) back of 10,000-won note issued on 22. January,2007(reverse)

Denomination
Ba(6th) 10,000-won note
First issue
January 22, 2007
Standard
148 × 68 ㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
King Sejong the Great, Irworobongdo, Celestial globe (Armillary sphere)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO.

Issued under "Plan to issue new banknotes to deter counterfeiting" (April 18, 2005).

Incorporation of hologram, security thread and watermark bar.

Enhancement of color-shifting ink, intaglio latent image, watermark, see-through register and watermark.

5,000 won note

front of 5,000-won note issued on 7.January,1972(obverse) back of 5,000-won note issued on 7.January,1972(reverse)

Denomination
Ga 5,000-won note
First issue
July 1, 1972
Issue ceased
December 1, 1980
Standard
167×77㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of Scholar Yulgok (obverse) The main building of the Bank of Korea (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO. Original plate produced by Thomas De La Rue in England.

The width of banknotes varied by denomination but their height was standardized.
front of 5,000-won note issued on 1.June,1977(obverse) back of 5,000-won note issued on 1.June,1977(reverse)

Denomination
Na 5,000-won note
First issue
June 1, 1977
Issue ceased
May 12, 1993
Standard
167×77㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of Scholar Yulgok (obverse) Ojukheon (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO. Original plate produced in Japan.

Scholar Yulgok’s official portrait selected.
front of 5,000-won note issued on 11.June,1983(obverse) back of 5,000-won note issued on 11.June,1983(reverse)

Denomination
Da 5,000-won note
First issue
June 11, 1983
Issue ceased
Jan. 2002 ceased producing
Standard
156×76㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of Scholar Yulgok (obverse) Ojukheon (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by the KOMSCO. Original plate made in Japan.

Issued under Plan for Maintenance of the Currency System.
front of 5,000-won note issued on 12.June,2002(obverse) back of 5,000-won note issued on 12.June,2002(reverse)

Denomination
La 5,000-won note
First issue
June 12, 2002
Issue ceased
Ceased Producing
Standard
156×76㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Portrait of Scholar Yulgok (obverse) Ojukheon (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by the KOMSCO. Original plate of Da 10,000-won note revised and supplemented.

Enhancement of security features. Windowed security thread with hologram letters and watermark bars. Enlargement of watermark and braille dots and height of the intaglio printing and braille raised.
front of 5,000-won note issued on 2.January,2006(obverse) back of 5,000-won note issued on 2.January,2006(reverse)

Denomination
Ma(5th) 5,000-won note
First issue
January 2, 2006
Standard
142 × 68 ㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Lee I(Yulgok), Ojukheon (Mongnyongsil), “Insects and Plants" paintings by Sin Saimdang
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO.

Issued under "Plan to issue new banknotes to deter counterfeiting" (April 18, 2005).

Incorporation of hologram, security thread, color shifting ink, intaglio latent image, micro lettering and SPAS.

Enhancement of watermark, see-through register and watermark bar.

1,000 won note

front of 1,000-won note issued on 14.August,1975(obverse) back of 1,000-won note issued on 14.August,1975(reverse)

Denomination
Ga 1,000-won note
First issue
August 14, 1975
Issue ceased
May 12, 1993
Standard
142 × 68 ㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Scholar Lee Hwang (Toegye), MuGunghwa(a rose of Sharon) (obverse)Tosanseowon(Tosan Academy) (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO. Original plate produced in Japan.

The width of banknote varied by denomination but the height was standardized. Scholar Lee Hwang(Toegye)’s official portrait selected.

Mid-denomination note were needed in view of the rise in the average unit value of transactions resulting from increased incomes and rising prices.
front of 1,000-won note issued on 11.June,1983(obverse) back of 1,000-won note issued on 11.June,1983(reverse)

Denomination
Na 1,000-won note
First issue
June 11, 1983
Issue ceased
Still being issued
Standard
151×76㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Scholar Lee Hwang (Toegye) , Mugunghwa (a rose of Sharon) (obverse) Tosanseowon(Tosan Academy) (reverse)
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO. Original plate produced by KOMSCO.

Issued under Plan for Maintenance of the Currency System.
- The width of banknote varied by denomination but the height was standardized.
- Incorporation of see-through register and braille recognition for the blind to deter counterfeiting.
- To improve the quality of the paper, the material used was changed from cotton or pulp to pure cotton.
front of 1,000-won note issued on 22.January,2007(obverse) back of 1,000-won note issued on 22.January,2007(reverse)

Denomination
Da(3th) 1,000-won note
First issue
January 22, 2007
Standard
136 × 68 ㎜
Printing method
Intaglio
Main design
Lee Hwang(Toegye), Myeongnyundang, Gyesangjeonggeodo
Comment

Manufactured by KOMSCO.

Issued under "Plan to issue new banknotes to deter counterfeiting" (April 18, 2005).

Incorporation of color shifting ink, windowed security thread, intaglio latent image, micro lettering and SPAS.

Enhancement of watermark and see-through register.