Product Overview
This complete set contains four denominations of 1988 North Korean Foreign Exchange Vouchers issued by the Trade Bank of the DPRK：1 Chon, 5 Chon, 10 Chon, 50 Chon. Officially named Oehwa Wabgon Donpyo, these special banknotes were exclusively circulated for foreign visitors, and were never available to local North Korean residents for daily domestic transactions.
Two distinct color coding systems were implemented to classify visitors during the Cold War era：red-hued vouchers designated for socialist country visitors, while blue-toned variants were issued for capitalist country visitors. This full UNC set showcases both color series’ elaborate engraving art, with all four denominations intact and uncirculated.
Front & Reverse Design Details for Each Denomination
1 Chon
| Front |
Soft rose red base. National emblem of the DPRK sits at the top left; title “외화와바꾼돈표” printed along the top margin. Issue year 1988, bank name “조선인민공화국무역은행” and denomination “일전” displayed at the bottom, paired with unique red serial number prefix. Blue label strip marked with repeated “1” symbols for classification. |
| Reverse |
Intricate guilloché geometric anti-counterfeit linework fills the entire background. Large central numeral “1전” framed inside a floral multi-lobed border, repeated miniature “1전” text lines along all four edges, decorative scroll-shaped number “1” at the bottom right corner. |
5 Chon
| Front |
Cool light blue primary tone for capitalist visitor circulation matching the classification rule. Identical layout template across the series, with denomination marker “오전” at bottom right and pink strip printed with repeated “5” digits. Individual red serial number unique to each note. |
| Reverse |
Layered blue and magenta fine mesh engraving. Central framed large “5전”, border edges lined with continuous micro-print “5전” patterns, stylized swirl number “5” ornament at bottom right. |
10 Chon
| Front |
Pale cyan-green base, allocated for capitalist foreign guests. Standard header, national emblem and 1988 date mark, denomination “십전” printed on the dark bottom label, light green classification strip with repeated “10” markers, independent serial number on the left side. |
| Reverse |
Gradated blue-green wave guilloché background. Octagonal floral frame holding oversized “10전”, scroll decorative number “10” at bottom right, full border micro-text anti-counterfeit borders. |
50 Chon
| Front |
Deep rose red base for socialist visitor use. Consistent structural layout, denomination “오십전” at the lower section, light blue classification strip printed with repeated “50” numerals, unique red serial number prefix. |
| Reverse |
Dense crimson geometric engraving texture. Large central “50전” within a soft flower frame, continuous miniature “50전” text lining all margins, elegant curved decorative “50” at bottom right. |
Product Specifications
| Issuing Authority |
Trade Bank of the People’s Republic of Korea |
| Issue Year |
1988 |
| Full Set Composition |
1 Chon, 5 Chon, 10 Chon, 50 Chon (4 denominations total) |
| Visitor Classification Standard |
Red print series = Socialist country visitors; Blue/cyan print series = Capitalist country visitors |
| Condition Grade |
UNC Uncirculated, sharp full corners, zero folds, foxing or creases, fully saturated original printing ink |
| Printing Technology |
Intaglio steel engraving with complex layered guilloché anti-counterfeit patterns, micro-text security borders, multi-tone color offset printing |
| Historical Background |
Cold War-era special exchange tender, short circulation period, massive quantity recalled and destroyed after official withdrawal; complete four-note sets survive in limited quantities |
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