10 won 1947
About This Note
A North Korean 10 Won note from 1947, the inaugural year of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, featuring two laborers (one with pickaxe, one with axe) in the central vignette symbolizing the socialist worker ideal. The note displays typical mid-20th century circulation wear with visible creases, foxing, and age-related discoloration, yet retains clear impression of the fine engraving and multi-color security printing. This early DPRK issue represents a historically significant piece of Korean numismatic history from the immediate post-liberation period.
Common. The 10 Won 1947 (Pick P-10Aa) was produced as part of the initial currency emission by the North Korea Central Bank and represents one of the foundational denominations in the DPRK monetary system. While 1947 DPRK notes have become less commonly encountered in Western collections compared to later issues, the regular circulation of this denomination over decades of use means surviving examples are readily available. The circulated condition observed here (with visible wear, foxing, and creases) is typical for these notes and does not enhance rarity or value. Early DPRK currency from 1947-1948 commands modest collector interest but does not qualify as scarce.
Issued in 1947 by the North Korea Central Bank during the formative years of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (established September 9, 1948), this note predates official statehood and reflects the transitional currency period under Soviet occupation. The iconic imagery of manual laborers with tools—the pickaxe and axe—directly embodies the socialist ideology and emphasis on worker valorization that would define DPRK policy. The mountain landscape on the reverse likely depicts a significant Korean geographical feature, serving propagandistic purposes to establish national identity and territorial claims.
The obverse features two idealized male workers in an oval central vignette, representing the socialist labor force: the left figure wears a wide-brimmed hat and carries a pickaxe (symbolizing mining or heavy industrial work), while the right figure is bareheaded and carries an axe (representing forestry or construction labor). Both represent the worker valorization central to DPRK ideology. The vignette is surrounded by elaborate Art Deco-influenced geometric borders in pink/red and green with ornamental scrollwork flourishes. The reverse depicts a prominent mountain landscape—possibly Mount Paektu or another sacred Korean peak—surrounded by decorative cartouches containing architectural or fortification elements in the corners, emphasizing national territory and strength. The color scheme throughout uses pink/red, green, black, and cream/beige inks typical of early Cold War-era currency printing.
FRONT SIDE: Top/Central area: '조선민주주의인민공화국' (Joson Minjujuui Inmin Gonghwaguk / Democratic People's Republic of Korea) in both Hangul and Chinese characters '朝鮮民主主義人民共和國'. Right side: '원' (Won - currency unit) and additional text '위시' (appears as institutional or descriptive marking). Left side: Red seal mark. Serial number area: 'HD 211126' or similar reference code with black overprint. BACK SIDE: Top banner: '선조주민' (Seonjojumin / Korean People). Corners and borders: '10' (denomination), '원' (Won), '1947' (year of issue), '조선' (Choson/Korea), '대원' (denomination marker). The comprehensive text reads: 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea, 10 Won, 1947, Korean People'.
Intaglio engraving combined with multi-color lithography. The fine line engraving visible throughout the design indicates steel plate engraving for the primary security elements. Multiple colored inks (pink/red, green, black) applied in separate passes suggest sequential color printing typical of 1940s currency production. The presence of what appears to be hand-applied serial numbers and black ink overprinting indicates post-printing numbering operations. This represents standard security printing practice of the era for central bank currency, likely executed by facilities under Soviet or Chinese technical supervision during the occupation period.
The visible serial number prefix 'HD' with numerical sequence '211126' represents a specific printing variety. Early DPRK notes used various serial number schemes; the 'HD' prefix may indicate a particular printing run or security printer batch. The black overprint/handwritten marks visible on the front suggest this specimen may have been handled by a bank or institutional processor, which could indicate a subset variety. Without access to comprehensive DPRK serial number registries, specific variety designation beyond the standard Pick P-10Aa designation cannot be confirmed, but collectors should note serial prefix variations (HD, other letters) as potential variety markers for this issue.
