Coin and Banknote Shopping Arcade in Seoul, Korea

For many Korean coin and banknote collectors, one place where they never want to miss out is the Heohyeon underground. This is a place where your can find more than 15 outlets store of stamp, banknote and coin stores gather together at an underground shopping mall.

Located just 5 to 10 minutes of walking distance away from Myeong-dong, a famous shopping place in Seoul, is one of the definite itinerary for many visitor in Seoul. I was managed to pay the place a visit during my recent tour to Seoul.

At Heohyeon underground arcade, you can find just about every stamp, banknote and coin ever issued in Korea. Prices are ranging from few hundred won to few million won. Most of the outlets here are run by experts with enthusiasm in collecting. Besides Korean coin and banknote, you can also find few outlets that offer world currency collection.

I was excited when visiting the place but it was not a fortunate day for me where many stores were closed during my visit day due to festival season. Nevertheless, I still manage to bag some items with reasonable prices.

Coin, banknote and stamps outlet store located at Heohyeon.

Another coin and banknote store located at Heohyeon underground.

Location map of Heohyeon underground where most stamp, coin and banknote stores are located.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung, the oldest palace of Jeseon Dynasty, is located at the northern end of Sejon-ro Street. It was the main and largest palace of the five grand palaces that built by the Joseon Dynasty. The Gyeongbokgung palace was first constructed in 1394 and reconstructed in 1867.

Gyeonghoeru Pavillion, also known as The Royal Banquet Hall, is one of many buildings that boast exquisite architecture in the grandest garden landscape in Gyeongbokgung. It was used as a special hall to hold important and special state banquets during the Joseon Dynasty.

It is such a unique and important building that the Bank of Korea has adopted its image to depict at the reverse of 10000 Won issued in 1979 as shown below.

The reverse of 1979 Korean 10000 won with the image of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbok Palace

Photo of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbok Palace taken July 2010.

Korea Banknote - 1972 to 1973 Series

Bank of Korea started printing its own banknote in 1962 with lower denominations such as 10 and 50 Jeon and also 10, 50, 100 and 500 won. However due to economic development in 60s and 70s, higher denomination notes with the face value of 5000 and 10000 Won were introduced by Bank of Korea in 1972 and 1973 respectively to meet the people need in their business activity.

Be specifically the 5000 Won note was released on 1 July 1972 and followed by the introduction of 10000 Won note on 12 June 1973. The 5000 Won note features the portrait of Yi I at the obverse and the picture of Bank of Korea building at its reverse side. Meanwhile, the 10000 Won note carries the portrait of King of Sejong at front and image of Gyeongbok Palace illustrated at the reverse of the note.

5000 Won

10000 Won