1 won 1978 specimen
About This Note
This is a 1978 North Korean 1 Won specimen note (Pick P-18s) in uncirculated condition, featuring vibrant multi-color engraving with a propagandistic family group composition on the front and a heroic worker figure holding flowers on the reverse. The note showcases the distinctive aesthetic of late 1970s DPRK currency design, with intricate ornamental borders, complex security patterns, and ideologically-themed imagery emphasizing collective unity and labor — all rendered in crisp, sharp print quality typical of specimen issues.
Common. The 1 Won denomination from 1978 was a standard circulation issue from the North Korean Central Bank with substantial print runs. Specimen notes (marked with -s in Pick catalog) were produced in limited quantities compared to regular circulation issues, but 1 Won specimens are not particularly scarce in the collector market. The uncirculated condition is typical for specimen copies, which were presentation pieces not intended for general circulation.
Issued in 1978 during the reign of Kim Il-sung, this note reflects North Korea's focus on depicting idealized family units and workers as central to the socialist state narrative. The front composition showing a multi-generational family with flag and the reverse figure holding flowers represent the regime's emphasis on unity, sacrifice, and devotion to the state — common themes in propaganda currency of the Cold War era. The modern industrial cityscape background signals the regime's promotion of economic development and urbanization as achievements of the socialist system.
The obverse features a central vignette depicting an idealized family group — an adult male holding the national flag flanked by youth figures and children, one of whom holds flowers. This represents the core socialist family unit and generational commitment to the state. The reverse portrays a heroic male worker or leader figure in formal attire holding a large bouquet of roses, surrounded by additional figures in active or working poses, symbolizing labor and state service. Both sides are framed by elaborate ornamental borders incorporating geometric patterns, floral rosettes, and architectural ornaments in green, pink, red, purple, and blue tones. An urban industrial skyline with residential and civic buildings appears in the background of both sides, emphasizing state modernization. The national emblem appears in a circular design on the front.
Front side: '조선민주주의인민공화국' (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), '중앙은행' (Central Bank), '일' (Won), '1978' (year), '서로 돕고 함께 나아가라' (Help each other and move forward together). Back side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Democratic People's Republic of Korea Central Bank), '일' (Won), '1' (denomination numeral).
Multi-color engraved banknote produced using intaglio printing methods. The note displays fine line engraving characteristic of high-security currency production, with complex geometric and floral security patterns integrated into the design. The sharp registration of multiple colors (green, pink, red, purple, blue) and the crisp detail of portraiture and ornamental elements indicate professional central bank-standard production. North Korean currency of this period was typically produced domestically or with assistance from allied printing facilities.
This is cataloged as Pick P-18s, indicating a specimen issue. Specimen notes of this series may carry specimen overprints or markings; the visual analysis indicates this is a presentation-quality copy. No specific serial number, signature variety, or overprint information is visible in the provided images. Standard varieties for this Pick number would relate to different printing sessions or minor design registration variations, though these are not prominent enough to be noted in the visual documentation provided.
