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 Replies: 12 / Views: 4,545 |
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New Member
Canada
15 Posts |
Hi all, I'm interested in getting some currency (coins or paper money) from North Korea. I've been doing some searching on ebay and other online stores, and all I could find is uncirculated money. I thought that was a little suspicious so I did some research, which suggested that the vast majority of North Korean currency that numismatists buy and sell is actually made by the DPRK government solely for the purpose of selling to foreigners (as a way to raise some cash). Which is fine - but to me, that's akin to buying replicas (or commemoratives, at best). I'm interested in getting some coins or paper money from NK that were actually made for circulation - and, ideally, have actually circulated. Does anyone have any ideas where I might find something like this? PS: I realize there may be some legal issues with the sale of goods originating in North Korea for US citizens; I am a Canadian where such sanctions are not in place (at least to my knowledge). Thanks! |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2490 Posts |
I'm also not a US citizen, but ebay.uk prevents me from selling North Korean medals. |
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New Member
Canada
22 Posts |
No, there are no 'sanctions' in place between Canada and North Korea - although mail between the two countries does get read. They generally don't seal their outgoing international mail, on the assumption someone somewhere, North Korean censor and/or Canadian CSIS, is going to open and read it anyways. This is based on first-hand correspondence I've had with the country around 20 years ago.
However, almost all mail inbound for North Korea is going to land on a government desk somewhere (private citizens there aren't going to dare risk contact with foreigners), so end of the day, you are likely going to end up with uncirculated currency sent from there as the only reliable sources are government.
Also, ALWAYS write the full name "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" on correspondence there - and NEVER any mention of "North Korea".
Edited by PEI penny
01/31/2014 6:16 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
you have to be creative when searching ebay, and find a creative seller. most likely you will find north korean coins hiding in the south korea section, or maybe in other oriental sections like china or tokens etc. they are rarely listed with their catalog number - you have to know what it is you are looking for and go by the pictures, and/or possibly search by denomination. they are out there, but you have to hunt. same thing for certain middle eastern countries and cuba - ebay has its own set of political rules regardless of what the USA (or canadian) government says. |
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Moderator
 Australia
16832 Posts |
You can find circulated North Korean coins, and notes too if you particularly want them. I own six coins and one banknote from North Korea, and two of the coins are circulated (VF and EF). One was bought from a local coin dealer, the other came in a bulk lot of mixed world coins. Since removing North Korean currency from the country without permission is illegal, the only "circulated" coins you're likely to find are ones that tourists happened to get their hands on and smuggled out of the country, or ones that escapees brought with them. However, as others have stated, you won't find many on ebay, even non-US ebay sites, since the embargo on North Korean coins extends to ebay worldwide. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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New Member
 Canada
15 Posts |
Thanks all for your replies. I'll see if I can keep a closer eye on ebay and other sites. Unfortunately the city I'm in right now doesn't have a LCS, so I'm stuck with online purchases. If anyone has any suggestions for other websites where I might have a better chance than ebay I'd love to hear them! PEI_Penny, mind if I ask what the nature of your correspondence with the DPRK was 20 years ago? I'd be fascinated to correspond directly with someone in the country, if that's even possible... |
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New Member
Canada
22 Posts |
legis... I was at college taking some history/political science courses and I was doing a paper or something like that which involved North Korea international relations. Can't recall the details. I wrote to one of their book distributors to locate some "official" party-line bio material on Kim Il-sung. Polite although their correspondence with English was clunky-sounding and straight to the point - which also, along with the unsealed envelopes, gave the whole experience a creepy cult vibe. They never used any stamps on their envelopes, but the stationary was quaint "oriental" floral that looked like it was manufactured in the 1950s. I've seen North Korea coins and banknotes sold on ebay, so not sure what this "embargo on North Korean coins extends to ebay worldwide." |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
507 Posts |
I have seen old North Korean coins sold on ebay, so they must slip through from time to time. You may need to set your filters to look worldwide as they may be coming from nearby Asian countries. The most common 'real' coins you'll see are the aluminum coins from 1959. There are some dealers that have periodic pricelists that may be helpful. Three that I can think of are Frank Robinson, Bob Reis, and Don's World Coin Gallery. Bookmark them and check back occasionally. You can also look into a coin-swapping site like Numista. You need to be careful watching out for scammers, though. Of course a local coin store or regional coin show would be helpful but it doesn't sound like that's an option for you. -wheatiefan |
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1238 Posts |
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New Member
Canada
15 Posts |
PEI_penny, that's fascinating. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks wheatie and chris for your links - much appreciated! :)
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1064 Posts |
I just bought one of each type of North Korean coin (excluding stars), so some from 1959 up till 2008, and they all appeared kinda new. Is this normal? I bought them within China, so, with the faking that goes on here it's possible. The other thing is they weren't that expensive, postage was more expensive than the actual coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
507 Posts |
Common North Korea coins are one of the few things I'd consider buying from China.
Think about it: Where will these coins likely end up before becoming available to foreign collectors? From North Korea's neighbors China or South Korea.
I'd check the other items offered by the dealer. If they are consistent with low value genuine coins then go ahead and buy. If they are consistent with mass-produced counterfeits, I'd stay away.
Some of mine are circulated and some uncirculated.
I'm not aware of mass counterfeiting of low value NK coins but would like to know if anyone else thinks that's a problem. Perhaps they are faked and just flying under the radar.
-wheatiefan
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Pillar of the Community
Germany
1064 Posts |
Who make North Korean coins, does anyone know? Is it the Chinese mint?
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Replies: 12 / Views: 4,545 |
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Posted 01/31/2014 6:14 pm
