Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Korean Empire
5 Chon
Guangwu 9th year
大韓帝國 五錢 光武九年
Item number: A56
Year: AD 1905
Material: Cupronickel
Size: 20.7 x 20.7 mm
Manufactured by: Osaka Mint, Japan
Provenance: Xiang Yun Antique 2023
This is a 5-Chon cupronickel coin, circulated in the Korean Empire during the 9th year of the Gwangmu era (AD 1905). On the obverse side, it bears the denomination “5 chon” in Korean Hanja characters, flanked on the left and right sides by floral arrangements symbolizing the expulsion of evil and representing the royal family, featuring bellflowers and pear blossoms tied together. At the top, there is a pear blossom motif, emblematic of the royal household.
The reverse side features a beaded border with a central depiction of a phoenix spreading its wings, symbolizing the royal family. The upper border is inscribed with the Korean Hanja characters denoting the year “Daehan. Gwangmu 9th year,” while the lower border displays the denomination “5 Chon” in both English and Korean Hangul script.
After the First Sino-Japanese War in AD 1894, Korea emerged from the shadow of its suzerain, the Qing Dynasty of China, and swiftly became embroiled in the rivalry between Japan and Russia in Northeast Asia. Domestically, Korea faced turmoil due to the debate over pro-Japanese or pro-Russian policies. In AD 1897, taking advantage of Russia’s greater influence in Northeast Asia compared to Japan, King Gojong of Korea seized the opportunity to emulate Japan and China by declaring himself emperor, thereby changing the country’s name to the Korean Empire and adopting the era name of “Gwangmu.”
In the fifth year of the Gwangmu era (AD 1901), under the guidance of Russian advisor Alexeyev, the Korean Empire transitioned from a silver standard to a gold standard and began minting new currency. However, in AD 1905, following Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, Russia was forced to withdraw from the Korean Peninsula. Subsequently, Japan, through the Eulsa Treaty, strengthened its control over Korea and closed the mints within Korea. The coin minted in AD 1905, as described, was produced at the Osaka Mint in Japan, resembling the contemporary Japanese currency known as the “Silver Dragon.” Finally, in AD 1910, under Japanese coercion, the Korean Empire signed the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty, leading to the demise of the Korean Empire and its transformation into a Japanese colony.