Coins of North Korea

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(KM#6, Numista number N#11774) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The 5 chon coin with two stars for foreign visitors from capitalist nations.

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(KM#7, Numista number N#11775) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The 10 chon coin with two stars for foreign visitors from capitalist nations.

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(KM#8, Numista number N#11776) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The 50 chon coin with two stars for foreign visitors from capitalist nations.

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In 2005, North Korea introduced a new series of coins in denominations of 5, 10, 50 and 100 won. They were introduced after North Korea abandoned the iconic rate of 2.16 won per United States dollar (the peg was based on the birthday of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il), and the legalization of markets that emerged after the "Arduous March", the famine that caused the deaths of millions of North Koreans after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the North Korean government unable to respond to the collapse of its infrastructure. The coin's design were plain compared to coins issued in developed nations around the world, only featuring the emblem of North Korea on the obverse and the coin's denomination on the reverse.

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(KM#1015, Numista number N#15613) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The 5 won coin issued in 2005.

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(KM#425, Numista number N#15192) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The 10 won coin issued in 2005.

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(KM#426, Numista number N#18596) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The 50 won coin issued in 2005.

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(KM#427, Numista number N#15193) (Images courtesy of Numista)

The 100 won coin issued in 2005.

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In 2009, North Korea underwent a redenomination of its currency, with 1 new won being equal to 100 of the previous won. It was done to effectively take control of the economy by the central government and reign in black market activities, but wiped out the savings of its citizens. A new series of coins were issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 50 chon and 1 won. The 10 and 50 chon and 1 won coins were produced in 2002, and were planned to be released into circulation after economic reforms were introduced and the legalization of the markets, but were not released until the 2009 redenomination of its currency. However, after the introduction of the new redenominated currency, the won's value tanked by nearly 96% against the United States dollar.

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(KM#1170, Numista number N#78643) (Images courtesy of Numista)

Issued in 2008 was the 1 chon coin, issued as part of the redenomination of the North Korean won. The obverse side featured the emblem of North Korea and the coin's denomination and the reverse side featured the Royal Azalea.

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(KM#1171, Numista number N#78642) (Images courtesy of Numista)

Issued in 2008 was the 5 chon coin, issued as part of the redenomination of the North Korean won. The obverse side presented the emblem of North Korea and the coin's denomination and the reverse side presented the tree peony flower.

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(KM#1172, Numista number N#15885) (Images courtesy of Numista)

Issued in 2009, but originally minted in 2002 was the 10 chon coin, issued as part of the redenomination of the North Korean won. The obverse side featured the emblem of North Korea and the coin's denomination and the reverse side featured an Azalea.

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(KM#1173, Numista number N#15884) (Images courtesy of Numista)

Issued in 2009, but originally minted in 2002 was the 50 chon coin, issued as part of the redenomination of the North Korean won. The obverse side displayed the emblem of North Korea and the coin's denomination and the reverse side featured the Kimjongilia, the flower named after North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il and the description in Hangul stating it as a "flower of immortality".

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(KM#1174, Numista number N#15883) (Images courtesy of Numista)

Issued in 2009, but originally minted in 2002 was the 1 won coin, issued as part of the redenomination of the North Korean won. The obverse side presented the emblem of North Korea and the coin's denomination and the reverse side presented the Kimilsungia, the flower named after North Korean dictator and founder Kim Il-sung and the description in Hangul stating it as a "flower of immortality".

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North Korea's currency consists not only of the North Korean won, but also the United States dollar and the Renminbi (Chinese yuan), the latter two currencies being used in its markets. Foreign visitors to North Korea are restricted to using foreign currencies, especially for the purposes of tourism to the country, although North Korean won coins and banknotes are sometimes offered as souvenirs in shops mainly catering to tourists.