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Message:: [QUOTE="mlov43, post: 1340307, member: 16729"]Well, I think that the die-versus-medal alignment issue is addressed in the Korean-language source that I found for this website.  I'll check it and get back to you. As far as the 'pattern' 5 won is concerned, there were many more pattern (die trial) coins made than just the rice stalk.  They also struck 5 Won die trials with the Rose of Sharon flower (Mugunghwa) and the Chomsongdae observatory on them, too.  I think in the end, the Bank of Korea (or Monetary Admin Committee) decided to maintain the old 10Hwan and 50Hwan designs as those coins HAD BEEN circulating at 1Won and 5Won previously;  so in order to not confuse the public(?) they decided to keep them on the new Won coins.  Actually, I really don't know.  That's my guess.  My Korean source does not specify why the designs were maintained.   I think the rice-stalk design was one that the Koreans had been considering for their coins since at least 1965, and with the FAO program in place by 1970, perhaps they decided to finally use the design on the 50Won coin.  Good Questions from you and cladking.  Excuse me while I go do some homework now![/QUOTE]