10 Chon Gwang Mu

The Gwang Mu era coinage was introduced as part of Gojong's broader effort to modernize Korean state institutions following the proclamation of the Korean Empire in 1897. By 1907, that project was effectively over — Japan had imposed the Eulsa Treaty in 1905, stripping Korea of diplomatic autonomy, and the Residency-General under Itō Hirobumi had assumed direct control over financial administration. This 10 Chon piece was struck in what would prove to be the final year of Gwang Mu-era coinage; Gojong was forced to abdicate in July 1907 and the series ended with him.