10 South Korean Jeon Banknote (1962 Issue)

10 Jeon Won (Issued 1962)

Few banknotes capture a nation’s monetary rebirth as concisely as the 10 Jeon of 1962, issued by the Bank of Korea in the immediate aftermath of South Korea’s currency reform that replaced the Hwan with the Won. A currency expert would notice at once that this small-denomination note belongs to the very first Won series, making it one of the foundational pieces of modern South Korean monetary history. The compact format, the absence of a portrait, and the almost purely typographic and geometric design reflect a new republic operating under considerable economic constraints whilst asserting its institutional identity with confidence. The note’s simplicity is itself historically eloquent.

On the front, the design is executed entirely in a clean, single-toned deep blue-navy ink against a pale blue background, with no portrait present — the denomination taking full visual precedence. The central feature is a large, elaborately engraved rosette or medallion of layered guilloché petals, within which the numeral “10” is boldly rendered in a serif typeface, set against a finely cross-hatched background of concentric geometric linework that creates an optical depth characteristic of intaglio printing. To the left of this central vignette, large Korean hangul characters read “십전” (Sipjeon, meaning ten jeon), printed in a commanding dark-ink block style. Above the central medallion, the issuing authority is identified in Korean as “한국은행전” (Hankuk Eunhaeng Jeon — Bank of Korea Jeon), printed in blue across the upper register. To the right of the central medallion appears the text “한국은행” again in a smaller format, alongside a prominent circular red official seal bearing Korean characters, which would represent the authorising stamp of the Bank of Korea. In the upper corners, decorative oval cartouches contain the denomination reference, flanked by ornamental scrollwork that mirrors on both sides. The lower margin carries the denomination numeral “10” at each corner, with fine Korean text along the very bottom edge identifying the printer — “한국조폐공사제조” (manufactured by the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation). A small serial-plate reference number “– 2 –” appears in red beneath the central vignette. The entire design is framed by a fine geometric border of repeated interlocking pattern work, consistent with security printing conventions of the early 1960s.

The reverse is printed in the same rich blue-navy ink and presents a more formally composed layout. Along the upper edge, the issuing authority is spelled out in Roman capitals: “THE BANK OF KOREA”, set within a recessed banner framed by fine line borders. At the centre of the note, a large numeral “10” is displayed within an ornate engraved panel of interlacing ribbon-like guilloché scrollwork, giving the denomination a three-dimensional, embossed visual quality. To the left of this central panel, the hangul “십전” is again presented vertically, accompanied by a small decorative element. Flanking the right of the composition is an elaborate baroque-style acanthus scrollwork vignette, deeply engraved, which adds considerable visual weight to that side of the note. The lower margin carries the denomination in Roman text as “10 JEON”, and the year of issue “1962” is printed at the lower right corner in clear serif numerals. The entire reverse is bordered by a band of repeating fine-line geometric ornament running along all four edges, maintaining the note’s security printing integrity and consistent visual register.

Webuyallcurrency.com buys foreign coins and banknotes for cash, including this 10 Jeon banknote from South Korea. Send it in with any other South Korean Won banknotes you have and we will handle the exchange in a single straightforward process.

• Indicate the quantity of 10 Jeon Won banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com helps you exchange old coins and banknotes with no fuss, combining your South Korean Won banknotes with other foreign currency into a single, hassle-free cash exchange.

Other South Korean Won you can exchange: 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000.