I finally completed the Korean 5 chon coin which is struck in 1905 and 1907, the other struck in 1909 is excessively rare so let's not count that What's special about this coin is that it's struck in Osaka mint in Japan as Korea was a Japanese protectorate. While this coin is supposedly common, it's somewhat getting difficult to find in a nice condition as well as in a reasonable price. Thankfully, I didn't pay the insane market price of what it's going these days. I must also mention that the design of this bird (phoenix?) is well detailed and my photography skills aren't good enough to show the details: Perhaps that's what makes the feathers of the bird really lively. Feel free to check out my other Korean coins from the same era: http://www.gxseries.com/numis/koreatype/koreatype.htm From here on, most other coins are quite challenging and will require mad patience. Would be nice to fill in the other silver coinages when I can get to it some day
True, but the 1902 5 chon struck while Korea was under Russian domination is even harder to find, and much more expensive! I'd love to see the year 11 coin outside it's mylar prison!
Hello hontonai, Yes, the 1907 5 chon is unfortunately in it's myler 2x2". I don't have the coin with me at the moment so I can't retake another shot. Hontonai, are you sure the 1909 5 chon is not as rare as the 1902 5 chon which is struck under the Russian domination? I know I have seen a couple of images of the 1902 5 chon but NEVER a 1909 5 chon. That said, I don't understand why the Osaka mint would strike gold coinages and miss out having 1 won coin.
Most of the 1902 5 chon struck while under Russian domination had been recalled and discarded during the Japanese protectorate. So, it is much more harder to find.
I have to disagree with jskim. Those so called "Russian domination" coins, as far as I know were initially struck for a bank that was opened in Russia, which got shut down in a week. Those were never meant for circulation in Korea.
Although 1902 5chon struck under Russian domination, it was struck by Yongsan Mint in Korea and also circulated in Korea. 1905 5chon was struck in Japan (Osaka Mint).
