question abour Russian influence in Korea.

vasker

We know that after the sino-japanese war Korea was under russian influence and Alexiev financial advisor authorised the printing of some korean coins where the russian eagle was instead of japanese dragon. The denominations were 1 chon(cu) , 5 chon(cu-ni) and 1/2 won(silver).
I have seen in Norman Jacobs collection 2 more patterns 10 and 20 won except from the circulation issues.

My question is if there are other denominations with the russian eagle? Is it true that Alexiev printed also half dollar and dollar with the russian eagle in Korea ?

thanks.

V.

sumnom

For some reason, I do not have an up-to-date catalog at the ready but in Han'guk hwap'ye sa [History of Korean Currency 韓國貨弊史] (Seoul: Bank of Korea 韓國銀行, 1966), Yi Tae-ho (李大鎬 ) lists the following coins with the Russian eagle design:

pp. 142-143:

1. silver half hwan, pattern, 1899, struck by the Russo-Korean Bank (露韓銀行 ), possibly in Russia
2. gold 20 hwan, pattern, 1902, struck at the Yongsan Mint, Korea
3. gold 10 hwan, pattern, 1901, struck at the Yongsan Mint, Korea
4. gold 5 hwan, pattern, 1901-1903 - Yi Tae-ho notes that this piece is recorded but there are no known examples. This is a 1966 text so I don't know if this is still true.

pp. 150-151:

5. silver half hwan, 1901 struck at the Central Mint (Chonhwan'guk 典圜局 ) in Seoul.
6. copper 5 chon, 1902, struck at the Central Mint. This must be a typo. This piece was minted in cupronickel, as far as I know.
7. copper 1 chon, 1902, struck at the Central Mint.
8. silver 20 chon, 1901-1903 - Yi Tae-ho notes that this piece is recorded but there are no known examples. This is a 1966 text so I don't know if this is still true.

I hope this was helpful.

sumnom

Jacobs and Vermeule have something slightly different to say in Japanese Coinage (New York: Numismatic Review, 1972):

pp. 132-134:

1. copper pattern 20 won, 1900, 1904
2. copper pattern 10 won, 1901, 1903
3. silver half dollar, 1899, "circulated"
4. silver half won, 1901
5. silver 20-chon, 1902 - Jacobs and Vermeule say Japanese and Korean numismatists list this piece but they do not seem to list it in their work.
6. cupronickel 5 chon, 1902
7. bronze 1 chon, 1902

sumnom

I use "hwan" since that is what is on the coin in Sino-Korean script but the English does appear to be either "won" or dollar," as appears in Jacobs and Vermeule.

vasker

thank you sumnom.

sumnom

It was my pleasure.

sumnom

I found my copy of the 2006 edition of The Catalog of Korean Coins and Banknotes (韓國貨幣價格圖錄 ) and it lists the following issues:

1. half hwan (half won), silver, minted at Yongsan, 1901
2. five chon, cupronickel, minted at Yongsan, 1902
3. one chon, bronze, minted at Yongsan, 1901

4. half hwan (half dollar), silver, test piece, minted at Inch'on, 1899
5. twentyy hwan, gold-gilt copper, test piece, minted at Yongsan, 1902
6. ten hwan, gold-gilt copper, test piece, minted at Yongsan, 1901, 1903
7. five hwan, gold-gilt copper, test piece, no known examples

vasker

My concern was if there was a half dolar coin struck by russian administration and probably there is except from 'half won' and a 'half dollar' with the russian eagle, probably test press and struck at inch'on. Thats what i have been told and you confirm me this in your last post. I have seen a picture of 'half dollar' but it is an old scan without colours and the specimen is in terrible condition. Thanks my friend

sumnom

You're welcome. I am glad to be of assistance.