Watch List notes:

KOREA. 10 Won, Year 10 (1906). NGC MS-66.
Fr-2; KM-1130; K&C-28.2; JNDA-18-14 (14); C-52, JV-AD5. Diameter: 21.4 mm; Weight: 8.31 gms. Mintage: 5,012. Reeded Edge. Tied for the finest certified of the date with one other example on either the NGC or PCGS population reports. The obverse depicts an Imperial Japanese dragon coined in a dotted circle clutching the mythological Pearl of Celestial Wisdom, outer legend states the national name Dae Han, Regnal date year 10 (1906), denomination in the Korean phonetic alphabet; Reverse: Vertical denomination under Korean Plum Flower Crest, all in wreaths composed of Rose of Sharon and Plum branches. Few examples survive today, and this wonderfully pedigreed piece, with glowing yellow-gold luster, an entirely crisp strike and surfaces on the dragon side that are virtually pristine. A can't-miss opportunity for the collector of elite Asian gold coinage worthy of a fine cabinet of the connoisseur!

The regnal name Kuang Mu, "Military Illustriousness," was assumed by King Kojong, in 1897 and appeared on the last Korean coins struck at Osaka to Japanese specifications. The Won coins show a Japanese-style dragon grasping the Celestial Pearl, unlike the Chinese dragons that only pursued this mythological symbol of wisdom. The gold coins of 20, 10 and 5 Won appeared just before Korea's independence ended with the Japanese occupation. Of the limited quantity struck in the 10 Won denomination, most were kept in the Dai Ichi Ginko, Bank of Japan, as backing for gold notes, and nearly all were subsequently melted after the annexation.

Ex: Louis E. Eliasberg Collection sold by American Numismatic Rarities, April 2005, Lot #2316.

Ex: Lipno Collection Sold by Henry Christensen, November 1961, Lot #422.

Estimate: $50000.00- $80000.00