100 won 1978
About This Note
This is a North Korean 100 Won banknote from 1978 (Pick P-22) in uncirculated condition, featuring elegant pink and beige tones with intricate engraving throughout. The obverse displays a portrait of a notable figure within a decorative peony-bordered oval frame, while the reverse showcases a memorial or garden landscape with cypress trees and a commemorative building. The crisp printing quality and absence of wear or defects confirm its pristine UNC condition.
Common. The 1978 North Korean 100 Won (Pick P-22) is a standard-issue circulation note from a major printing run by the DPRK Central Bank. While North Korean notes attract collector interest, this denomination and date remain readily available in the secondary market. The UNC condition grade increases its appeal to collectors but does not substantially elevate rarity, as many examples of this note survive in excellent condition due to North Korea's controlled currency circulation patterns.
Issued by the North Korean Central Bank in 1978, this note reflects the DPRK's post-war monetary system and nationalist iconography during the reign of Kim Il-sung. The memorial landscape depicted on the reverse likely commemorates a significant site in North Korean history, while the peony flowers symbolize national pride and cultural heritage. The architectural and botanical elements suggest this note was designed to celebrate state institutions or historical monuments important to the regime.
The obverse features a formally dressed male portrait—likely a state figure or historical personality significant to North Korea—positioned within an ornate oval frame bordered by pink peonies, a flower symbolizing prosperity and honor in East Asian symbolism. A circular national emblem appears at the top left, representing the DPRK state authority. The reverse depicts a single-story commemorative building with distinctive architecture, set within a landscaped garden environment featuring tall cypress trees, rocky formations, and manicured pathways. Large denomination numerals (100) are positioned in the corners. The entire design is framed by ornamental scrollwork and peony motifs in matching pink tones, creating visual harmony across both sides.
Front side: 조선민주주의인민공화국 (Democratic People's Republic of Korea); 중앙은행 (Central Bank); 100 원 (100 Won); Serial number: 11 300687; Date: 1978. Reverse side: 조선민주주의인민공화국 (Democratic People's Republic of Korea); 중앙은행 (Central Bank); 100 원 (100 Won); Additional text partially visible: 현명이묘금대향실 (specific institutional or memorial designation).
Intaglio (recess) engraving using steel plates, characterized by the intricate guilloche patterns, fine line details, and complex background engraving visible throughout the design. The uniform crispness and precise detail suggest production by a high-quality security printer, likely the North Korean state printing facility. The fine gradations in shading and the depth of the portrait engraving are hallmarks of professional intaglio production.
Serial number observed: 11 300687. No significant varieties are documented for this Pick number beyond standard serial number progressions. The note maintains consistent design elements across known examples from the 1978 printing.
