Issuance of ‘2016 Korean Cultural Heritage Commemorative Coins’
□ The Bank of Korea has decided to issue two new ‘Korean Cultural Heritage Commemorative Coins§’, in an effort to make the excellence of Korea’s cultural heritage more widely known and to inspire Koreans’ pride in it.
§ The Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen sites, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
※ See
□ Meanwhile, as the issuance of a series of Korean Cultural Heritage Commemorative Coins ends this year, the Bank of Korea has selected ‘Korea’s National Parks’ as a theme of its new commemorative coin series to be issued from 2017 (see in page 7 for further details). Issuance of ‘2016 Korean Cultural Heritage Commemorative Coins’
1. Overview
□ On August 2, 2016, the Bank of Korea will issue two new ‘Korean Cultural Heritage Commemorative Coins,’ in an effort to make Korea’s outstanding cultural heritage more widely known and boost Koreans’ love and affection for it.
ㅇ The motifs of the respective coin designs are ① the Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen sites and ② the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
ㅇ There are a total of 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Korea. Among them, ten are depicted in the Bank of Korea’s commemorative coins that have been issued on six occasions from 2010 to 2015. The two commemorative coins to be issued in August this year are the last of the series of Korean Cultural Heritage Commemorative Coins.
2 / 9 Korean Cultural Heritage Commemorative Coins
Year of Year of designation as Cultural heritage issuance UNESCO World Heritage site 2010 Jongmyo Shrine 1995 2011 Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes 2007 2012 Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple 1995 Changdeokgung Palace Complex 1997 2013 Hwaseong Fortress 1997 Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana 1995 Woodblocks 2014 Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong 2010 Namhansanseong 2014 Gyeongju Historic Areas 2000 2015 Baekje Historic Areas 2015 Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen 2016 Sites 2000 (scheduled) Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty 2009
2. Coin Denominations and Sizes
□ The two ‘2016 Korean Cultural Heritage Commemorative Coins’ are proof§ silver coins (silver 99.9%).
§ Proof coins are coins of the highest quality. They are coined through a strictly controlled manufacturing process.
ㅇ The commemorative coins are 50 thousand won in face value. They are both circular, 33㎜ in diameter, and weigh 21.0g. Coin Shapes and Sizes
Comp. Diameter Weight Quality Type Designs Denom. Shape Edge (%) (㎜) (g) level Gochang· Silver Hwasun· 50,000- Silver Circular 33.0 21.0 Reeded Proof coinⅠ Ganghwa won 99.9 Dolmen sites Royal Tombs Silver 50,000- of the Joseon ″ ″ ″ ″ ″ ″ coin Ⅱ won Dynasty
3 / 9 3. Designs
① Silver coin Ⅰ: Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen sites
【Obverse】The obverse depicts a panoramic view of a group of dolmens in Jukrim-ri, Gochang§ and a dolmen in Bugeun-ri, Ganghwa§§.
§ The largest dolmen group in Korea, as a single site (Historic site no. 391)
§§ The largest (6.4m in length and 2.5m in height) table-type dolmen in Korea (Historic site no. 137)
【Reverse】The reverse shows the Gamtaebawi Quarry§ and excavated relics§§ in Daesin-ri, Hwasun.
§ This quarry, located within the Hwasun Dolmen site (Historic site no. 410), is named Gamtae (an older name for gat, a Korean traditional hat made of bamboo and horsehair), as it looks like a man wearing a gat. §§ Various burial goods excavated from the dolmen site in Daesin-rin, Hwasun
Size Obverse Reverse
Enlarged 1.5 times
② Silver Coin Ⅱ: Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
【Obverse】The obverse depicts a panoramic view of the tumulus of Geonwolleung Tomb§ for Yi Seonggye, also known
4 / 9 as King Taejo, of the Joseon Dynasty and the surrounding stone figures, such as a stone scholar§§ and a stone sheep§§§ .
§ Geonwolleung Tomb is located in the Donggureung Tomb Cluster, in Inchang-dong, Guri-si (Historic Site No.193)
§§ A stone figure representing a scholar assisting the King §§§ A stone sheep figure guarding the Royal Tomb
【Reverse】The reverse shows the floor plan of a royal tomb depicted in the Joseon Dynasty Uigwe§.
§ A collection of documents related to the royal protocols of the Joseon Dynasty.
Size Obverse Reverse
Enlarged 1.5 times
4. Maximum issuance volume and issuance method
□ The maximum issuance volume of these commemorative coins is 26,000 in all, and 13,000 for each type of coin§.
§ 4,000 single coins (2,000 per coin type) and 22,000 coins in two-coin sets (11,000 per coin type). Based on the orders, if there is excess demand for either the single coins or the coin sets and a surplus of the other option, then the excess demand will be met using the surplus up to the maximum issuance volume for each type.
― Orders for domestic sale (90%, 23,400 commemorative coins) will be received by KOMSCO through the designated financial
5 / 9 institutions (NH Bank and Woori Bank). If orders for domestic sale either for single coins or for coin sets exceed the maximum volume available, lots will be drawn to determine the right to purchase.
― Orders for overseas sale (10%, 2,600 commemorative coins) will be received by KOMSCO through its authorized overseas dealers. If total orders for overseas sales fail to reach 2,600, the remaining coins will be included in the volume for domestic sale.
― If orders for single coins fail to reach the maximum issuance volume, KOMSCO may sell the remaining coins directly online.
□ The commemorative coins issued by the Bank of Korea will be acquired, packaged and distributed by KOMSCO, based on the choices made by subscribers (either mail delivery or pick-up at NH Bank or Woori Bank branches).
□ The selling prices of the commemorative coins have been set at face value plus charges incidental to sale (casing charges, packaging charges, commissions, etc.).
※ For details of order-placing, distribution schedules and selling prices, please refer to the attachment.
Theme of Commemorative Coins to Be Issued From 2017 Onward
□ The Bank of Korea selected ‘Korea’s National Parks’ as the theme of its new commemorative coin series to be issued from 2017 onward.
― The year 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the first designation of a National Park in Korea (Jirisan National Park, designated in 1967). As these parks have their own unique tourist attractions, animals and plants, these commemorative coins are expected to have various formative characteristics.
□ National Park commemorative coins to be issued for each year (2~3 types) are expected to be decided in consideration of the regions and the characteristics of their natural landscapes (mountains, seas, seasons, etc.).
7 / 9 National Parks and Dates of Designation (as of May 2016)
Park name Location Year Park Name Location Year
North & South North Jirisan Jeolla, South 1967 Juwangsan 1976 Gyeongsang Gyeongsang South Jeolla, South Hallyeohaesang South 1968 Taeanhaean 1978 Gyeongsang Chungcheong North Gyeongju Gyeongsang 〃 Dadohaehaesang South Jeolla 1981 South Gyeryongsan Chungcheong, 〃 Bukhansan Seoul, Gyeonggi 1983 Daejeon Seoraksan Gangwon 1970 Chiaksan Gangwon 1984 North Chungcheong, Hallasan Jeju 〃 Woraksan North 〃 Gyeongsang North North Chungcheong, Chungcheong, Songnisan 〃 Sobaeksan 1987 North North Gyeongsang Gyeongsang Naejangsan North & South 1971 Byeonsanbando North Jeolla 〃 Jeolla North & South Gayasan 1972 Wolchulsan South Jeolla 1988 Gyeongsang North Jeolla, Gwangju, South Deogyusan South 1975 Mudeungsan Jeolla 2013 Gyeongsang Odaesan Gangwon 〃 Taebaeksan1) Gangwon 2016 Note: 1) The government held a National Park Committee meeting on April 15, 2016 and decided to designate Taebaeksan as the 22nd National Park (its official designation date will be August 22, 2016).
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Order period: June 13 (Mon) to June 27 (Mon), 2016
How to Place an Order: At the counter and through Internet orders
§ Those wishing to order in person should take their ID cards and visit branches of either NH Bank or Woori Bank to fill out order forms.
§ Internet orders can be made via the website of NH Bank and Woori Bank from 9:00 on the starting date until 23:00 on the ending date.
Maximum order limit: The order limits for single coins and two-coin sets are as set out below, but a single person may order both single coins and two coin sets up to each limit.
§ Single coin: Orders for up to three coins of each type may be placed by a single person.
§ Two-coin set: Orders for up to three coin sets may be placed by a single person.
Distribution date: August 12(Fri), 2016
Selling price
§ Single coins: 60,000-won (face value 50,000-won + additional handling charges 10,000-won)
§ Two-coin sets: 120,000-won (face value 100,000-won + additional handling charges 20,000-won)
※ The order period and distribution schedules are subject to change. For further details, please visit the websites of KOMSCO, NH Bank and Woori Bank.
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