Gyeongbokgung in the Gold Medal, Adding Dignity with Coral

'The First Commemorative Medal of the "Cultural Heritage Royal Series," Gyeongbokgung Palace, Unveiled'

Gold medal (left) and silver medal at Gyeongbokgung Palace

The first commemorative medal of the ‘Cultural Heritage Royal Series,’ ‘Gyeongbokgung,’ has been unveiled.

The Cultural Heritage Administration, Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation, and the Foundation for Cultural Heritage Abroad held a sponsorship agreement ceremony for promoting Joseon Royal Culture and protecting overseas cultural assets on the 22nd at Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and introduced the Gyeongbokgung commemorative medal. The front side delicately and perspectively depicts Geunjeongjeon Hall. The back side features a design of the outside view from the throne in Geunjeongjeon. Coral and jade were inserted into the throne using new technology to express the dignity of the king.

The design and production were carried out by Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation. The coral and jade were crafted by Kim Young-hee, holder of Gyeonggi-do Intangible Cultural Property No. 18, a jade artisan. The packaging box was made by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation using an old painting of Gyeongbokgung called ‘Bukgweoldo-hyeong (北闕圖形, a flat layout map created around 1907),’ crafted from wood with mother-of-pearl inlay techniques. It is displayed and sold at Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch along with previously produced cultural heritage series commemorative medals.

In the second half of the year, a commemorative medal of the 12-panel royal folding screen ‘Haehakbandodo (海鶴蟠桃圖)’ will be released. Next year, medals will be produced for ‘Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido (天象列次分野之圖),’ the oldest stone-carved star map in Korea, and ‘Ilwol Obongdo (日月五峯圖),’ a painting placed behind the throne in the main hall of the palace.

Following the cultural heritage guardian agreement signed in 2012, the Cultural Heritage Administration and Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation have been promoting cultural heritage and supporting the protection of overseas cultural assets by producing series such as the ‘World Documentary Heritage Joseon Royal Seals Series.’