Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Corporation to Release Final 'Twelve Zodiac Commemorative Medal' Next Year

Image photo of the '2023 Year of the Rabbit Zodiac Commemorative Medal'. Provided by Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Corporation.

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation and Poongsan Hwadong Yanghaeng will conclude their joint planning and sales project of the "Twelve Zodiac Commemorative Medals" with the Year of the Rabbit commemorative medal next year.

This project began in 2012 with the production and sale of a commemorative medal depicting the "Dragon" for the Year of the Dragon (Imjin year) and has continued as a series for 12 years.

The Mint announced on the 18th that, together with Hwadong Yanghaeng, it will offer the Year of the Rabbit commemorative medal for pre-order on a first-come, first-served basis until the 28th of this month through the Mint's online mall, Poongsan Hwadong Yanghaeng, Industrial Bank of Korea, NongHyup Bank, and post office branches nationwide.

The commemorative medal was designed based on the rabbit motif symbolizing "happiness and good fortune," with the meaning of overcoming difficulties such as the pandemic, war, and hyperinflation, and wishing for happiness in the new year.

The commemorative medals consist of a fan-shaped gold and silver medal set, a fan-shaped silver medal, a large silver medal, and an octagonal calendar brass medal.

The front of the fan-shaped gold and silver medal set features the 12 zodiac signs of the rabbit and the zodiac character "Myo (卯)" referring to the rabbit, while the back includes the year "2023" and the gapja "癸卯 (Gyemyo)." The selling price (including VAT) is 3,025,000 KRW (purity 99.9% · gold 18.75g · silver 10.2g), limited to 200 sets.

The fan-shaped silver medal is priced at 110,000 KRW (purity 99.9% · silver 10.2g) and limited to 500 pieces.

The large silver medal conveys the meaning of "peace" by depicting a peaceful scene of the rabbit. The selling price is 550,000 KRW (purity 99.9% · silver 120g), limited to 300 pieces.

The octagonal calendar brass medal features the rabbit's 12 zodiac signs on the front and a cute rabbit symbolizing fortune on the back. Additionally, the calendar for next year is engraved across the front and back, designed to be placed on a desk for use as a calendar or paperweight. The selling price is 198,000 KRW (purity copper 65% · zinc 35% · brass 315g), limited to 1,000 pieces.

Each commemorative medal is engraved with a hallmark signifying the Mint's guarantee of purity and quality, and the certificate includes a unique serial number certifying its collectible value.

Ban Jang-sik, president of the Mint, stated, "We take pride in the Twelve Zodiac Commemorative Medal series, which combines the Mint's differentiated embossing technology and Hwadong Yanghaeng's planning capabilities, opening new horizons in commemorative medal sales. The Mint will continue to strengthen cooperation with Hwadong Yanghaeng to expand the public's cultural enjoyment rights."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.