The Bank of Korea (BOK) recently announced a relaxation of regulations governing the commercial use of imagery from South Korean currency, including coins and banknotes. One prominent case under scrutiny is the depiction of the Dabotap Pagoda, which appears on South Korea’s 10-won coin.
Iconic Pagoda and Coin History
The Dabotap Pagoda, a cherished relic from the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.–935 A.D.), is featured on the obverse side of the 10-won coin, while the reverse side shows the coin’s denomination. This historical structure, located in Gyeongju, is a designated national treasure. The 10-won coin was first introduced in 1966 as part of South Korea’s won-denominated coinage. Originally minted in bronze, the coin switched to brass in 1970 to cut production costs. By 1986, the material changed to copper-plated aluminum, and its diameter was reduced from 22.86 mm to 18 mm due to rising minting expenses, which once reached 38 won per 10-won coin. Unverified rumors at the time suggested some coins were melted down for jewelry-making purposes.
A Controversial Pastry: Sibwonppang
In Gyeongju, a pastry called sibwonppang, or “10-won bread,” has drawn comparisons to the coin due to its design, which mimics both the obverse and reverse sides. While the pastry sells for 3,000 won (roughly $2.24 USD), the actual 10-won coin holds a negligible value of just 0.00075 cents USD. The bread, larger in size than the coin, is primarily sold in tourist areas and has become a local novelty.
Legal and Copyright Concerns
For over a year, the Bank of Korea has warned sibwonppang manufacturers about potential copyright violations. These warnings have largely gone unheeded, prompting concerns about the misuse of currency designs. A June statement from the BOK indicated ongoing negotiations with manufacturers to alter the pastry’s design, emphasizing that legal action is not currently planned.
“If currency designs are misused commercially, it risks encouraging counterfeiting and undermining the dignity and reliability of our money,” read a press release.
The sibwonppang manufacturers argue they obtained the coin’s design legally from the Korea Open Government License, a platform that provides free access to government-owned media. However, the BOK claims this listing was a mistake, asserting that the coin’s design requires explicit permission for use. The BOK has since requested the platform to either restrict the image’s commercial use or remove it entirely.
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To resolve the issue, the BOK has suggested manufacturers adopt a new design, possibly replacing the Dabotap Pagoda with another landmark or inscription. A manufacturer has reportedly begun creating a new mold to comply with these requirements.
Currency and Culinary Crossovers
Using edible items to replicate coin designs is not unprecedented. Chocolate coins, inspired by St. Nicholas’s fourth-century acts of generosity, became popular in Europe during the 16th century. Variants are now associated with traditions like England’s Christmas celebrations, Hanukkah’s gelt coins, and Chinese New Year’s hongbao. In the U.S., patriotic chocolate coins are often featured during events like Independence Day.
In November 2022, a Norwegian group, Antipodes Café, showcased “illegal tender” chocolate coins in Spain, featuring designs such as Argentine pesos and Russian rubles with butterflies.
Candy resembling currency has become a niche collectible, but the phenomenon lacks a specific term within numismatics. While sibwonppang may continue to delight Gyeongju tourists, its legal resemblance to South Korea’s 10-won coin remains a point of contention.