Catalog
10 Hwan
| Issuer | Bank of Korea |
|---|---|
| Year | 1953 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | The obverse is dominated by a central radiating guilloche pattern printed in blue, with the Bank of Korea title inscription in Chinese characters (韓國銀行) across the centre. An oval vignette to the right contains an intaglio illustration of a Turtle ship (거북선), the historic Korean armoured warship, while a second oval to the left bears the denomination in Chinese and Korean script. A red official seal appears in the lower-left area, and serial numbers are printed in black at top and bottom. The word 拾 (ten) appears in the upper corners. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | 券行銀國韓 行銀國韓 원십 圜拾 (Translation: Korean banknote, The Bank of Korea, Ten Won, Ten Hwan) |
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| Comments |
The hwan was introduced in February 1953 as a direct response to wartime hyperinflation, replacing the won at 1 hwan to 100 won. With the Korean War still active and domestic printing infrastructure destroyed or compromised, the Bank of Korea turned to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing — the same facility producing American Federal Reserve notes — to produce the series.
Pick 13 is among the earliest issues under the new currency regime. The armistice came in July 1953, just months after these notes entered circulation.