10 won 1978 specimen
About This Note
This is a North Korean 10 won specimen note from 1978 (Pick P-20s) in uncirculated condition, featuring a striking pink and mauve color scheme with sculptural relief imagery of two male figures in a dynamic laborer's pose on the obverse. The reverse depicts an industrial harbor scene with factories and smokestacks, reflecting the nation's focus on economic development during this period. As a specimen note marked with red overprint stamps, this represents an official bank distribution example rather than circulation currency, making it a notable item for collectors of Korean numismatics and Cold War-era propaganda currency.
Common. This is a specimen note from a standard issue of the 10 won denomination during the 1978 production period. While specimen notes are not circulated in general commerce, they were produced in sufficient quantities for banking distribution and official records. No evidence suggests an exceptionally limited print run or recall status.
Issued in 1978 by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, this note represents a period of nationalist economic propaganda under Kim Il-sung's regime. The imagery—featuring heroic worker figures and industrial development with harbor scenes—exemplifies the North Korean government's emphasis on collective labor, industrial progress, and economic self-reliance (juche ideology) that dominated the late 1970s. The specimen nature of this note suggests it was distributed for official banking purposes and international currency documentation rather than general circulation.
The obverse features two male figures rendered in high-relief sculptural style in a dynamic, muscular pose suggesting labor or construction work, positioned centrally as the primary design element. On the left is an ornate circular emblem containing a five-pointed star surrounded by laurel wreaths—the national symbol of North Korea. Denomination cartouches containing '10' appear in the top right and bottom left corners in elaborate rococo-style frames. The reverse presents an industrial waterfront panorama with multiple factory buildings, tall industrial smokestacks, and vessels on the water, representing North Korea's focus on heavy industry and economic development. A large circular medallion with concentric geometric patterns adorns the left side of the reverse. Both sides incorporate extensive decorative borders with floral and geometric ornamental elements, wavy line security patterns, and fine-line engraving throughout.
Front side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), '경' (Won - currency denomination), '1978' (year of issue), '10' (denomination), '11 000000' (serial number with red and blue printing). Back side: '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' (Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), '10' (denomination). Red specimen overprint stamps are visible across the center of the front.
Intaglio (engraved) printing combined with multicolor lithography, typical of North Korean currency production in this era. The note exhibits fine line engraving patterns, complex geometric designs, and intricate security linework characteristic of high-security banknote production. The specimen overprints in red suggest this example received official marking at the Central Bank printing facility.
This is the 1978 specimen variety (Pick P-20s) of the North Korean 10 won note, identifiable by the red 'specimen' overprint stamps visible across the center of the obverse. Serial number 11 000000 is shown with mixed red and blue printing. The specimen designation and official bank overprints distinguish this from regular circulation notes (Pick P-20), which would lack these markings.
