10 South Korean Won Banknote (1962 Issue)

10 Won Won (Issued 1962)

The 1962 First Won Series represented South Korea’s foundational currency reform, replacing the old Hwan with a new Won-denominated system across a complete range of denominations issued simultaneously by the Bank of Korea. The 10 Won note sits within this inaugural family of notes, sharing a consistent design language characterised by compact dimensions, Korean-script typography, and guilloché-centred layouts that were common across the series. What distinguishes this denomination from its higher-value counterparts is its simplified, portrait-free composition, relying entirely on ornamental engraving and symbolic patterning rather than a figurative centrepiece. The note reflects the economic urgency of early 1960s South Korea, when the government sought to establish monetary confidence through clean, formally printed currency.

On the front, the note is printed predominantly in shades of olive green and brown against a light background, with an overall tone that is muted and functional in character. The upper portion carries the issuing authority’s name written in Korean Hangul script — 한국은행권 — meaning “Bank of Korea note,” rendered in bold, evenly spaced characters arranged horizontally across the top of the note. To the upper left, enclosed within a rectangular cartouche, the Korean character 십 (meaning “ten”) is printed in dark ink. Vertically along the left side, the denomination 십원권 — “ten won” — is inscribed in Hangul. The central design element is a striking guilloché rosette, rendered in intricate fine-line engraving that produces a layered, spiralling pattern of overlapping ellipses and looping curves, with a small circular emblem at its centre bearing what appears to be a stylised yin-yang symbol, consistent with the taeguk motif associated with Korean national identity. This central rosette is framed by further guilloché background patterning that fills the note’s field with subtle wave-like textures. To the right of centre, a circular red official seal bearing Korean characters is clearly visible, serving as an authorisation stamp. The numeral 10 appears in the upper right corner in plain bold typography. Towards the lower left, the serial number CL 0699377 is printed in dark ink in a standard serif typeface. Along the very bottom edge of the note, additional Korean text — 한국조폐공사제조 — identifies the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation as the manufacturer.

The reverse of the note is printed in a two-colour scheme of blue-green and brown, presenting a clean and formally structured design. Across the very top, the legend “THE BANK OF KOREA” is printed in large, bold, capitalised Latin serif lettering in brown against a light background, framed above and below by finely engraved horizontal border rules. The central focus of the reverse is the large numeral “10” rendered in a bold brown typeface and set within an elaborate guilloché surround of interlocking, symmetrical scrollwork that fans outward in mirrored formations to either side, creating a pronounced butterfly or wing-like effect in olive and brown tones. Immediately below the numeral, the word “WON” appears in white capital letters set within a solid brown rectangular panel, providing a clear denomination identifier in the Latin alphabet. Corner ornaments featuring floral or rosette motifs in brown appear at all four corners, and fine guilloché border patterning runs along the upper and lower edges, completing the formal frame of the design. The overall background of the reverse is a pale blue-green wash that provides contrast to the darker brown engraved elements.

Looking to exchange leftover currency? Your 1962 South Korean 10 Won banknote can be sold to Webuyallcurrency.com alongside other old or withdrawn South Korean Won banknotes, turning spare money from a trip or collection into cash in one simple transaction.

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

Wondering who buys foreign coins and banknotes? Webuyallcurrency.com does — bring your South Korean Won banknotes together with any other old or withdrawn currency and exchange it all for cash in one place.

Other South Korean Won you can exchange: 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000.