The 1 Mun was issued under King Sejong's early reign as part of a renewed push to establish copper coinage as viable everyday currency — an effort that had repeatedly failed under previous Joseon kings, whose subjects stubbornly preferred grain and linen cloth for transactions. This issue fared no better; official copper circulation collapsed again within a few years, and the coins were largely abandoned by the public.
Hartill 25.73 identifies this type by its specific foundry markings, as Joseon cash coins of this period were cast at multiple government foundries with distinguishing reverse characters.
The 1 Mun was issued under King Sejong's early reign as part of a renewed push to establish copper coinage as viable everyday currency — an effort that had repeatedly failed under previous Joseon kings, whose subjects stubbornly preferred grain and linen cloth for transactions. This issue fared no better; official copper circulation collapsed again within a few years, and the coins were largely abandoned by the public.
Hartill 25.73 identifies this type by its specific foundry markings, as Joseon cash coins of this period were cast at multiple government foundries with distinguishing reverse characters.