1 won 1978
About This Note
This is a stunning example of North Korea's 1 Won note from 1978 (Pick P-18e), presented in uncirculated condition with pristine detail throughout. The note showcases socialist realist artwork featuring heroic workers and citizens engaged in productive labor, framed by intricate ornamental borders in green, pink, and red. The sharp engraving, vibrant multi-color printing, and absence of any wear make this an excellent specimen for collectors of Cold War-era communist currency.
Common. North Korea's 1 Won note from 1978 (Pick P-18e) was produced in substantial quantities as a standard circulation denomination during the late 1970s. While North Korean currency is not widely traded in Western numismatic markets, this particular note shows no evidence of extreme scarcity. The abundance of surviving examples in various conditions, combined with the lack of documented print run restrictions or recall information, indicates this is a readily available note for collectors of North Korean currency.
Issued during the height of North Korea's Juche ideology under Kim Il-sung's rule, this 1978 note exemplifies the regime's emphasis on state propaganda through currency design. The front depicts armed citizens with flags and industrial architecture representing the socialist state's power and progress, while the reverse emphasizes productive labor and agricultural abundance with prominent floral imagery, reflecting the government's focus on self-reliance and national development during this period of economic isolation.
The front features a heroic socialist realist composition with five figures: a central armed male citizen holding a rifle and red flag symbolizing military readiness and revolution, flanked by two children (representing the future generation) and two adult workers, set against a cityscape of pink-colored standardized socialist apartment blocks. The reverse depicts four productive workers engaged in labor and agricultural activities, with a central female figure surrounded by abundant flowers and foliage, emphasizing both feminine contribution to state production and agricultural prosperity. Both sides are framed with ornate decorative borders featuring geometric patterns and floral motifs characteristic of North Korean state currency design. The circular emblem with radiating lines in the upper left corner represents the state authority of the Central Bank.
Front side: '조선민주주의인민공화국' (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), '중앙은행' (Central Bank), '원' (Won - currency unit), '1978' (year of issue), and serial number '01 054239'. Back side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Democratic People's Republic of Korea Central Bank) and '원' (Won - currency unit).
Multicolor offset lithography with fine line engraving, employing at least 4-5 color layers (green, pink, red, purple, orange/tan, and gray/cream). The complex geometric borders, fine detail work, and sharp definition throughout indicate high-quality security printing typical of state currency production by North Korea's Central Bank printing facilities. The note demonstrates sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures through intricate engraved patterns and precise color registration.
The observed specimen displays serial number '01 054239' with prefix '01', suggesting this is from an early print run of the 1978 issue. Variations in this Pick number may include different serial number prefixes and range indicators. The UNC condition grade and sharp printing characteristics are consistent with early production from this issue year. No obvious security overprints or emergency issue markings are visible.
