The Korean Empire’s rare 5-won, 10-won, and 20-won gold coins will be offered together at auction for the first time in 12 years during the 52nd Hawdong Auction on November 20, 2026, as reported by joongang.co.kr.
Hawdong Auction Features Rare Currency Lots in November 2026
- The 52nd Hawdong Auction will take place online via HawdongAuction.com on November 20, 2026, featuring 582 rare currency lots organized by Poongsan Hwadong Yanghaeng.
- The three-coin gold set from the Korean Empire last appeared together at public auction in 2014, making this a rare collecting milestone.
- Pre-auction viewings are available by appointment at the Poongsan Hwadong Yanghaeng headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, through November 19, 2026.
Rare Gold Coins Return to Auction
Poongsan Hwadong Yanghaeng announced that the upcoming sale features a total of 582 rare items spanning modern coinage, traditional Joseon currency, and world banknotes. joongang.co.kr reported that the centerpiece of the catalog is the complete set of Korean Empire gold coins, comprising 5-won, 10-won, and 20-won denominations. These pieces represent an independent push toward a modern monetary system during the final decades of the empire.
Minted in Osaka, Japan, the coins saw severely restricted actual circulation, leaving surviving examples exceptionally scarce today. Because 12 years have passed since the 5-won, 10-won, and 20-won denominations last appeared together in a single auction, collectors consider it a rare opportunity to acquire the set at once. The offerings serve as tangible artifacts of a shifting economic policy during a turbulent period in East Asian history.
Silver and Bronze Coins Track Korean Currency Evolution
Beyond the gold coinage, the auction introduces several monumental silver and bronze pieces that track the evolution of Korean currency. joongang.co.kr noted that the catalog includes the Taeguk 1-won silver coin, the Ihajang 1-won silver coin, and the Datsyang silver coin. Each piece showcases distinct iconography and production backgrounds tied to institutional reforms of the era.
The large crown-sized silver coins are notable for their intricate engravings and low survival rates. Alongside them, the 1-jeon bronze coin featuring a Russian Imperial eagle motif highlights complex regional diplomatic relationships and foreign manufacturing influences on late-nineteenth-century Korean monetary design, according to joongang.co.kr.
| Item Category | Notable Denominations | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Korean Empire Gold | 5-won, 10-won, 20-won | Struck at the Osaka Mint; extremely low survival and circulation rates. |
| Modern Silver Issues | Taeguk 1-won, Ihajang 1-won, Datsyang | Crown-sized silver displaying changing state iconography and reform eras. |
| Unissued Paper Money | Joseon Bank 1,000-won overprint | Prepared overprint notes that never entered general public circulation. |
Unissued Paper Money and Specimens
The catalog includes rare paper assets with archival value in addition to metallic currency. joongang.co.kr reported the inclusion of an unissued Joseon Bank 1,000-won note featuring an overprint on Japanese currency, recorded under serial numbers 293901 through 294000. Although production proceeded for this issue, broader historical disruptions prevented actual general distribution.
Three distinct specimen banknotes, printed strictly to verify design and ink quality prior to public release, round out the paper money offerings. Collectors value these items for their minimal production numbers and the direct window they provide into twentieth-century central banking plans, as detailed by joongang.co.kr.
Public Exhibition Details
Collectors and researchers wishing to inspect the lots ahead of the digital hammer can visit the physical exhibition space. joongang.co.kr stated that advance reservations are required to view the primary exhibition items at the Poongsan Hwadong Yanghaeng headquarters located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, through November 19, 2026. The live online bidding will subsequently open on HawdongAuction.com.
