10 won 1978
About This Note
This is an uncirculated 1978 North Korean 10 won note (Pick P-20d) showcasing exemplary printing quality with crisp intaglio engraving throughout. The obverse features a heroic figure in propagandistic style alongside the State Emblem, while the reverse depicts an industrial harbor scene symbolizing North Korea's socialist development. The note exhibits excellent condition with no wear, creases, or stains, and displays the characteristic multicolor palette of early DPRK currency.
Common. The 10 won denomination from 1978 (Pick P-20d) is a standard circulation issue from North Korea's early currency period with substantial print runs. While DPRK notes are less commonly encountered in Western collections, this particular denomination and series shows no evidence of short print runs, recalls, or scarcity factors that would elevate its rarity status beyond common.
Issued during the regime of Kim Il-sung in 1978, this banknote reflects North Korea's emphasis on state industrial development and socialist ideology through its reverse imagery of factories and smokestacks. The obverse's heroic figure and State Emblem with laurel wreath symbolize the Korean Workers' Party's control of national resources and the glorification of labor under Juche self-reliance doctrine. The date and denomination mark this as part of the first generation of DPRK won currency following the Korean War.
The obverse features the State Emblem of North Korea (a circular emblem containing a hydroelectric power station with five-pointed star, surrounded by a laurel wreath) on the left side, with a central heroic male figure in dynamic pose holding what appears to be an agricultural or construction implement, rendered in socialist realist style. Ornate decorative borders frame the design with floral medallions and geometric patterns in brown, tan, red, and blue tones. The reverse depicts an idealized industrial landscape with multiple factory buildings emitting smoke, merchant or military vessels on water, and harbor infrastructure—representing North Korea's rapid industrialization under socialist command. Large decorative cartouches display the denomination '10' in red, with matching ornamental frames and shell-motif designs flanking the industrial scene. Both sides employ intricate intaglio line work creating depth and texture throughout.
Front side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), '시10' (10 Won), Serial number '0ㄱ 874759', Year '1978'. Back side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), '시10' (10 Won). All text appears in Korean Chosongul script except for the year designation in Western numerals.
Intaglio (copperplate) engraving on a multicolor press, utilizing at least five color plates (brown, tan, red, blue, and gold/orange). The fine line work, geometric patterns, and security printing characteristics are consistent with high-quality government banknote production standards of the late 1970s, likely produced by North Korea's state printing facility or a Soviet-aligned security printer.
Serial number observed: 0ㄱ 874759 in red ink, indicating standard production from the first series. No overprints, signatures, or date variations are apparent on this specimen. The 1978 date is consistent with Pick P-20d specifications. Potential varieties in this series may exist related to serial number prefixes or color shade variations, but the present note appears to be a standard printing variety.
