Here are specimen examples of the 1984-issued "500 Years of the Catholic Church in Korea" ( 천주교전래 200주년 기념주화 ) 1,000 Won and 10,000 Won coins. Take a look at the "견양" (specimen) mark on the Myeong Dong Cathedral coin: It is incorporated into the engraved design (in relief) and is NOT just counterstamped, like previous specimens from South Korea. Nice grades, and better still, I have NEVER even heard of these before! They must be somewhat uncommon...yet another research question: How many of these specimens were minted?
the coin on the left looks like KM#39 in my 2016 Krause catalog, but in the bank sample section the denomination is listed as 20000 Won silver with no value listed or mintage. curious that this 1 would be of great value or not ? wonder if it is a typo mistake in the catalog ? the coin on the right looks like KM#40 listed in my 2016 Krause catalog, but in the bank sample section the denomination is listed as 50000 Won silver with no value or mintage listed. curious that this 1 would be of great value or not ? wonder if it is a typo mistake in the catalog ?
I Noticed the same exact things in my SCWC Catalog (39th Edition). That's why I was always puzzled by what coins they were referring to in the "Bank Samples" section, and I have basically just ignored the info listed there. I have pointed out errors like this to the publisher, with no response. And that's fine: It's just that Krause Publications' customers need to be wary of the information that they find in the catalogs! I have noted several errors in just this one country's listing in the Krause Catalog. That's why World Coin collectors need to find sources other than Krause, and these sources are probably to be found in the coins' countries of origin. It's a pain, but can be done. Here is a list of the errors that I have found for the listing, "Korea, South" in the SCWC: 1) They cite "oat sprig" for the design on the 50 Won coin. It's rice. 2) They cite "1st Anniversary of the 5th Republic" for the description of 1,000 Won and 100 Won commemorative coins from 1981. It's for the Inauguration of the 5th Republic government, not a first anniversary. 3) They cite erroneous mintage figures for the mint and proof finishes for almost every one of the thirty-two 1988 Seoul Olympic commemorative coins. 4) Completely unsubstantiated claims of "die varieties" for the 100 Won coin that nobody in South Korea has ever cited, or even understands. 5) A totally different catalogue identifier (KM# 33.2) for some years of the 10 Won coin, explaining "Thicker Value Below Date." Again, not the same opinion in South Korea, either by the Mint, nor by the numismatic community there. 6) And don't get me started on the claims made in the "Bank Samples," "Mint Sets," and "Proof Sets" section...
it is upsetting to know there are errors in the Krause catalog. I saw a picture in CoinWorld magazine showing that name Krause guy died. that was so sad to see. The Krause catalog is still good for most coin sizes and metal content and pics and mintages. not so much values at least on the rarer stuff.
