...South Korea - 2006-2009 Series All First Prefix AA-A

대한민국

(Republic of Korea)

한국은행

(Bank of Korea)

Currency - Won (KRW)

A complete set of five banknotes first introduced in 2006. This series was introduced with enhanced security features such as see-through register braille dots for the visually impaired, windowed security thread, latent image, colour-shifting ink, SPAS, hologram, watermark bar and others. This series was introduced due to growing concern on counterfeited/forged banknotes circulating in the economy. The series first started with the note of 5000 won, and in 2007, the bank released the notes of 1000 and 10000 won, and in 2009, it introduced the 50000 won for the first time to complete the series. 

 

The bank also originally intended to introduce the 100000 won note as well, but later cancelled the idea when the planned design for the note with the image of the map of Korea did not include the disputed Dokdo islands (Laincourt rocks) located in the Sea of Japan.

 

Like all previous banknotes of South Korea, there are no signatures printed on the notes. Instead, they are printed with an official square seal of the Bank of Korea. The Hangul writing on the seal reads as follows - 한국은행 총재 (Governor of the Bank of Korea).

Here, I have posted a full set of notes all printed with AA-A first prefix. All notes are printed by KOMSCO (Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation). KOMSCO is a state owned corporation which is responsible for printing banknotes and minting coins in South Korea, and other government documents. It's headquarters are located in Daejeon in the center east of South Korea.

One Thousand Won

Yi Hwang (b.1501-1570)

 

Front - Portrait of Toegye Yi Hwang (b.1501-1570). Yi Hwang was a philosopher, writer and Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). In the middle is the vignette of a building called Myumgryungang, and branches from a Mume tree.

 

This is the Third Series of the 1000 won note.

 

Watermark - Toegye Yi Hwang and electrotype 1000

Release date - 22.01.2007

Dimensions - 137mm x 69mm

 

Back - Ancient painting - Gaesang junggeodo.

Gaesang junggeodo painting

 

Five Thousand Won

Yulgok Yi I (b.1536-1584)

 

Front - Portrait of Yulgok Yi I (b.1536-1584). Yi I was a philosopher, writer and a Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). His art name is Yulgok. He was also a politician during his lifetime. He is also the son of Shin Siamdang (b.1504-1551), as per the 50000 won below.In the middle is the vignette of a building called (Ojukheon (Mongryoungsil), and at the back of the building are black bamboos called Ojuk.

This is the Fifth Series of 5000 won note.

Watermark - Yulgok Yi I and electrotype 5000

Release date - 02.01.2006

Dimensions - 143mm x 69mm

 

Back - Painting of Insects and Plants (watermelons and cockscombs)

 

Painting of Insects and Plants

 

Ten Thousand Won

King Sejong the Great (b.1397-1450)

 

Front - Portrait of King Sejong the Great (b.1397-1450). King Sejong was the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). His birth name was Yi Do, and he reigned from 1418 to 1450 when he died at the age of 52 years old. He is regarded as one of the greatest leaders in Korean history. In the middle is the vignette of a painting called Ilwolohbongdo (the Sun and the Moon, Five Mountain Peaks), and Yongbiacheonga (Songs of Flying Dragons).

This is the Sixth Series of 10000 won note.

Watermark - King Sejong the Great and electrotype 10000

Release date - 22.01.2007

Dimensions - 149mm x 69mm

 

Back - A Celestial globe (part of an armillary sphere).

A Celestial globe

 

Fifty Thousand Won

Shin Siamdang (b.1504-1551)

 

Front - Portrait of Shin Siamdang. She was a respected Korean artist, writer, calligraphist, and poet. She was born in 1504 in Ojukheon (Gangneung) during the Joseon period (1392-1897), and died in 1551 aged 46. Her birth name was Shin In-seon. Shin Siamdang was also the mother of Confucian Scholar Yulgok Yi Yi (Yi I). In the middle is her famous art pieces of ''Mukpododo'' (Painting of Grapes in Ink), and the eggplant section from her ''Chockungdo'' (Painting of Insects and Plants).

 

This is the First Series of the 50000 won note.

Watermark - Shin Siamdang and electrotype 5 in a pentagon shape

Release date - 23.06.2009

Dimensions - 155.5mm x 68.5mm

Back - On the back, the design is printed in a vertical format. The design features an art works of Eo Mong-ryong's ''Walmaedo'' and Lee Jeong's ''Poongjookdo'' (bamboo and a plum tree).

Paintings of ''Walmaedo'' and ''Poongjookdo''