10 won 1978
About This Note
This is an uncirculated 1978 North Korean 10 won banknote (Pick P-20a) in pristine condition, featuring a dynamic portrait of a figure in traditional Korean dress on the obverse and an industrial waterfront complex on the reverse. The note exemplifies the propaganda imagery characteristic of DPRK currency, with sharp engraving, vibrant multicolor printing, and intact security features throughout. This denomination and series represents an important period in North Korean monetary policy during the post-war industrialization era.
common
Issued in 1978 by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, this note reflects the regime's emphasis on socialist industrialization and modernization during the mid-Cold War period. The reverse vignette depicting a major industrial port facility with factories and smokestacks represents the North Korean state's prioritization of heavy industry and economic development, while the conducting figure on the obverse suggests themes of collective effort and state direction. The 1978 issue date places this note within a decade of the Korean War armistice, during a period of active economic reconstruction under centralized planning.
The obverse features a central vignette of a figure in traditional Korean attire with a raised arm in a conducting or gesturing pose, symbolizing state leadership and collective mobilization. The figure is rendered in brown and sepia tones in the center-right portion of the note. On the left side is an ornate circular state emblem containing what appears to be a monument or significant building within a wreath design—likely representing Korean national symbols or state authority. The reverse depicts an extensive industrial waterfront complex with multiple tall smokestacks, factory buildings, and ships at dock, reflecting the DPRK's emphasis on heavy industry and port development. Both sides feature ornamental borders with geometric and floral patterns in the corners, with denomination numerals '10' positioned in ornamental frames on both obverse (top right and bottom left) and reverse (bottom right).
Front side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), denomination '10' in ornamental frames, serial number 'ⅩⅠ 956537' (XI 956537), and year '1978'. Back side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) and denomination '10' in ornamental frame.
Intaglio (line engraving) printing method, characteristic of the high-security banknote production standards employed by the North Korean Central Bank. The fine line engraving is evident throughout both sides of the note, with detailed guilloche patterns visible in the background areas. The sharp reproduction quality and the precision of the portrait and landscape vignettes indicate professional banknote printing using traditional intaglio techniques. Security printers for North Korean currency of this era typically included the Korean Banknote Printing Factory or similar state-controlled facilities.
The observed serial number 'ⅩⅠ 956537' with Roman numeral prefix 'XI' indicates a specific printing variety. North Korean banknotes of this period used various serial number formats and prefixes that can distinguish printing runs and varieties. The red and black serial number coloring represents standard security features for notes of this denomination and era. No overprints or additional varieties are visible in this example.
