Long story short. At some time in the past few months I received in change a strange looking coin. I did not notice it at the time. Needed a bunch of quarters a couple days ago for use at the car wash so I raided the grandkids coin jar. One "quarter" was rejected by the cash box several times. I finally looked at it to see what was wrong. Here's what I had.
My coin is a South Korean 100 won coin, dated 1991. That amounts to 8-10 cents American. So, I've been ripped off by about 15-17 cents. Unless I sort of slip it off to someone else for a quarter.
I wonder if that guy was a surveyor like some of the guys on our coins.
Coined for Money says "Yi Sun-sin is on the coin and he was a late 16th century naval commander who had some incredible victories during times of war."
Turtle Ships
Thanks, Andy. The wikipedia info on him is amazing. I especially enjoyed reading about his use of "turtle ships".
One of Yi's greatest accomplishments was resurrecting and improving the turtle ship. With his creative mind and the support of his subordinates, Yi was able to devise the geobukseon, or Turtle Ship. Contrary to popular belief, the turtle ship was not actually invented by Admiral Yi; rather, he improved upon an older design that had been suggested during the reign of King Taejong.
The turtle ships designed by Yi held eleven cannons on each side of the ship, with two each at the stern and the bow. The ship's figurehead was in the shape of a dragon. The figurehead itself held up to four cannons, and emitted a smokescreen that, in combination with its fierce appearance, was meant to be used as psychological warfare. The sides of the turtle ship were dotted with smaller holes from which arrows, guns, and mortars could be fired. The roof was covered with planks and spikes. The purpose of the spikes was to prevent the ship from being boarded by the enemy. The larger Japanese ships' sides were higher than the turtle ships' and thus, the spikes prevented boarders from jumping down onto the roof without risking impalement. There were two masts that held two large sails. The turtle ship was also steered and powered by twenty oars, which were pulled by two men during fair conditions and five in combat situations.
Turtle Ships
He was one of very few Admirals in history who was undefeated in his entire career.
A coin very similar to that you in change spending $1 USD for a beer at the DimSum bar at the TaiPai airport. 3 of those coins will buy a beer. Best deal I've found, 4 beers for $3 USD.
B-)
I think you should start asking your grandkids for some explanation..........:-D
Did it sound funny hitting the other metal? I can kind of tell that I've got a foreign coin in my pocket by the way it clinks against other things. I guess getting the occasional Canadian coin will do that.
True Carl...
A couple of years back, when receiving change from a cashier at a qwik-e-mart, she dropped a dime on the counter and I knew it was silver by the way it sounded when it hit.
Yes, I am old enough to know that the US used to mint silver (first 90%, then 40%) coins.
I remember back in '65 when my Mom offered me and my sisters "new shiny coins" instead of those older coins we had in our piggy banks.
Check this link out: it is tied to the fluctuating price of silver.
Silver Coin Melt Value
I have a few of those, my son who teaches school in Seoul, was just home for a visit, they will work in place of a quarter in some vending machines, BUT most are smarter than that now!
SHG
> so I raided the grandkids coin jar.
[sarcasm]WHO'S BEEN RIPPED OFF? [/sarcasm]:-D
