Republic of Korea 100 Won Circulation Coin
Coin/Bullion · Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO), the official government-owned mint of South Korea founded in 1951.
Pattern: Standard Circulation Series, Second Portrait Design (Admiral Yi Sun-sin).
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation (KOMSCO), the official government-owned mint of South Korea founded in 1951.
Material
Cupro-Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel). Note: This item contains no actual silver content despite its silver-colored appearance.
Dimensions
Diameter: 24.0 mm; Weight: 5.42 grams; Thickness: 1.6 mm.
Description
A standard circulating 100 Won coin from South Korea. It is a workhorse of Korean currency, known for its silver-toned cupro-nickel luster and the iconography of the national hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin on the obverse. While often mistaken for silver by those unfamiliar with numismatics, it is a base-metal alloy optimized for durability in daily commerce.
Key Features
Raised '100' numeral; Hangul script; beaded circular border inside the rim; cupro-nickel metallic sheen; reeded edge.
Material & Composition
Cupro-Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel). Note: This item contains no actual silver content despite its silver-colored appearance.
Finish & Decoration
Satin circulation finish with a reeded edge. The reverse features the denomination '100' and '한국은행' (Bank of Korea). The obverse (not fully visible) features Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No silver hallmarks. Features numerical denomination '100' and Hangul text '한국은행' indicating the issuing authority.
Construction Details
Mass-produced via industrial die-striking on prepared cupro-nickel planchets at a high-speed minting facility.
Functional Features
Milled/reeded edge to prevent clipping and provide tactile identification; legal tender for currency exchange in South Korea.
Handle & Grip Details
None; handheld currency intended for palm and finger manipulation.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial precision minting with sharp relief on the numerical digits and crisp reeding on the edge, characteristic of late 20th-century government mints.
Authentication Indicators
Alignment of the '100' numeral, specific font of the Hangul characters, and the characteristic duller grey-white shine of nickel compared to the warmer white of sterling silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
South Korea; manufactured in the city of Daejeon at the KOMSCO minting facility.
Era & Period
Contemporary South Korea (The Fourth/Fifth/Sixth Republic eras). This design has been consistent since its introduction in 1983.
Age Estimate
Circa 1983 to present. A specific year would be found on the obverse side (opposite the 100).
Cultural Significance
A symbol of South Korea's economic development and national pride, featuring their greatest military hero. It is culturally ubiquitous in Korean daily life.
Condition Notes
Circulated/Good condition. Visible surface scratches, oil residues from handling, and minor rim dings consistent with pocket wear and vending machine use.
Value Estimate
Face value is 100 KRW (approx. $0.07 - $0.09 USD). Collector value for common circulated years is negligible beyond face value, though uncirculated 1981 or 1998 dates can be quite valuable.
Care & Maintenance
No special care required as it is a base-metal coin. To remove surface dirt, mild soap and water can be used, though cleaning generally reduces numismatic value for rare specimens.
Similar Pieces
Japanese 100 Yen (similar size and color), US Quarter (similar size and color), and earlier 100 Won coins (1970-1982) which had a slightly different portrait.
Interesting Facts
The 100 Won coin is one of the most used coins in South Korea. The figure on the other side, Yi Sun-sin, was a 16th-century naval commander famous for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin War.