Coins of the DPRK Standard Catalogue (《朝鮮現代紀念幣標準目錄》) was officially published by Chinese Documents Publish in July 2020. The author, Zhang Shaolong (張紹龍), made a further study of information after the book was completed, to supplement the deficiencies of the book and expand the coin varieties in the book. In less than a year, the second edition of the Coins of the DPRK Standard Catalogue was completed and published by the International Economic Press. The mainland edition will soon be published by Economic Daily Press. The first edition was published by International Economic Press in November 2021. Size: 140x210mm. ISBN: 978-75528-3-3. Price: HK$399.
Ancient Joseon coins were deeply influenced by the ancient Chinese coins, but relatively few coins were minted in ancient Korea. Modern coins issued in Korea have far surpassed ancient Korean coins in terms of variety and quantity. They have also reached new levels in terms of materials, topics, technique, and design. There are many different types and varieties of coins, and there is a self-contained mode of pattern coin issuance. Also, the Korean commemorative coin issuance lacks systematization. All these make the Korean commemorative coins full of a sense of mystery. Therefore, it is not easy for collectors of Korean coins to get an accurate introduction on how to collect and to organize their research.
Coins of the DPRK Standard Catalogue introduces and describes the commemorative coins issued by the DPRK by denomination and year from 1959 to 2020. The book makes illustration by catalog of regular coins, pattern coins, error coins, error pattern coins, counterfeit coins, counterfeit pattern coins, medals, non-precious metal coins, and precious metal coins. For those coins with different varieties, the variety is marked with English letters.
The author of this book, Zhang Shaolong, who has long focused on the collection and research of modern commemorative coins, compiled this book which is organized in a clear and comprehensive manner. It is an indispensable tool for collectors of Korean commemorative coins and those interested in the history of Korean culture. In particular, the additional commemorative coin varieties, as well as the information on pattern coins, error coins, and fantasy coins, are extremely valuable reference materials for collectors and researchers specializing in Korean coins.
The publication of books on the topic of ancient and modern coins of our neighboring countries, such as Coins of the DPRK Standard Catalogue and Catalog of Ancient Korean Coins ( 朝鮮王朝古錢譜 ), shows the phenomenon that the domestic numismatic community and collectors' focus and research have turned from a single direction of research and the collecting of ancient and modern Chinese coins towards world coins. It represents a new starting point for our communication with the international coin community. This exchange and integration will also increase the domestic numismatic community's understanding of the culture and history of the world, which is a new step in coin research and collection