50 Jeon / 5000 Won KPW #493

Front

The front of this note displays text 'THE BANK OF KOREA' in English with '50 JEON' denomination marking and the year '1962'. The design features ornate decorative patterns in brown ink with traditional Korean motifs and geometric guilloche work. The text '조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행' appears vertically in Korean script. This represents an early series of North Korean currency issued shortly after the 1959 revaluation that established the second won at a 100:1 ratio.

Back

Kim Il-sung (1912–1994), founding leader of North Korea, serving as Premier from 1948–1972 and President from 1972 until his death. He led the Korean People's Army during the Korean War and established the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 1948. His portrait appears in a large central oval with the denomination '5000' and serial number 'LF 2274942'. The note features intricate guilloche patterns in purple, pink, and green with the state emblem visible.

History

This is a rare specimen of North Korean currency from 1962, during the early years of Kim Il-sung's leadership. The note shows denominations in both jeon (50 jeon on front) and won (5000 won on back), reflecting the 1959 currency reform when North Korea introduced the second won. The bilingual inscriptions ('THE BANK OF KOREA' in English alongside Korean text) and the use of 'jeon' denomination are characteristic of this early post-war period. These notes were withdrawn from circulation and are now extremely difficult to obtain. The 1962 series preceded major currency reforms in subsequent decades. North Korea has undergone multiple revaluations and redenominations, making early issues like this highly collectible.