10 won 1978
About This Note
This is an uncirculated 1978 North Korean 10 won banknote (Pick P-20b) issued by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The note features crisp intaglio printing with vibrant brown, beige, pink, and accent colors throughout, displaying no wear, creases, or damage consistent with its UNC grade. The obverse presents a dynamic figure in flight against ornate circular seals and decorative borders, while the reverse depicts an industrial waterfront landscape with factory smokestacks—imagery reflecting North Korea's socialist emphasis on industrial development during this period.
Common. The 1978 10 won note (P-20b) was produced in substantial quantities as a standard circulating denomination for North Korea's domestic economy. While North Korean banknotes have limited international circulation due to trade restrictions, this particular issue lacks the characteristics of a scarce or rare note—no evidence of short print runs, recalls, or limited issuing period exists. The denomination and year represent standard currency production for the period.
This 1978 issue reflects North Korea's Cold War-era monetary system under the rule of Kim Il-sung, with imagery emphasizing socialist ideals of industrial progress and labor. The reverse's industrial waterfront scene with prominent factory smokestacks represents the regime's propaganda focus on economic development and heavy industry as pillars of the state. The reference to 'Great Marx' on the reverse underscores the Marxist-Leninist ideology that formed the theoretical foundation of North Korea's governance during this period.
The obverse features a heroic stylized figure rendered in dynamic pose, depicted as if in flight or motion, symbolizing revolutionary spirit and socialist idealism. This central vignette is flanked by an ornate circular government seal with radiant sunburst design on the left and an ornamental circular frame containing the denomination '10' on the right. The reverse displays a detailed engraved landscape of an industrial complex with multiple factory smokestacks, harbor facilities, and waterfront infrastructure—propaganda imagery emphasizing North Korea's industrial capabilities. Both sides employ intricate decorative borders with floral and geometric patterns in the corners, typical of North Korean banknote design of this era.
Front side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), serial number '오자 043839', and denomination '10' with year '1978'. Back side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), '위대한마르크스' (Great Marx), and denomination '10' appearing in multiple ornamental frames.
Intaglio printing (engraved steel plate), evidenced by the fine line work, intricate detail in decorative borders, complex medallion designs, and sharp printing quality visible throughout. The detailed landscape engraving on the reverse and the precision of the ornamental frames indicate professional security printing standards. North Korean banknotes of this period were typically produced domestically by the state printing authority.
The observed specimen carries serial number '오자 043839' in standard North Korean formatting. Pick P-20b designation indicates this is the second recorded variety of the 1978 10 won issue. Varieties for this note typically relate to serial number prefix differences and printing plate variations; the '오자' (o-ja) prefix observed here represents one known variety designation. Further subdivision among P-20b notes may exist based on specific serial number ranges and plate states, though comprehensive variety catalogs for North Korean currency remain limited.
