Commemorative Coin Charms 별전 (別錢)
Korea’s earliest commemorative medals were not medals at all but were amulets or good luck charms. Koreans use the term Byeol Jeon 별전 (別錢), meaning “separate, odd, or special money,” while collectors outside of Korea refer to them as “coin charms.” It is extremely challenging to get any specific information on the history, origin, or dates of manufacture for individual pieces.1 It is generally believed that the vast majority of these amulets were produced between 1776 and 1906. However, there are earlier charms, such as the one pictured at right, which purportedly dates from the Three Kingdoms Period of Korean History. Hundreds of amulets have no known historical significance outside their existence.
Millions of coin charms and chatelaines were melted down during the world copper shortage of 1907 and again in the 1930s and 40s to augment Japan’s war needs. The Korean War saw the destruction of many more pieces. Many historically important pieces have been destroyed. There are approximately 500 different known variants of Korean numismatic charms, and hundreds more if you count size variations.2 Korean collectors of coin charms are a very passionate group. Unfortunately, around 1985, the North Koreans began reproducing Korean coin charms, and this has put a significant damper on the hobby. All the coin charms pictured on this page were purchased before 1985 and are believed to be authentic.
King Kojong’s ascension to the throne. (68 mm)
King Kojong’s birthday. (66 mm)
construction of Kyong-bok Palace 경복궁 (景福宮). (53 mm) (The inscription “Peace 10,000 years”)
Imperial Virtues. (39 mm) The inscription “Sea” 海 (해) implies abundance
the birth of the Heir Apparent. (49 mm)
Wedding of the Crown Prince. (57 mm)
The two figures seen in many coin charms are not meant to represent a happy couple. They are spirit attendants, Dong Ja (동자-童子), and they hold various objects usually described as the Elixir of Long Life or the Peach of Immortality. Every feature on a coin charm holds a special significance. The two circles on the charms at left and right represent the spirits of the Sun and Moon.
King Kojong’s wedding. (70 mm).
Chatelaines
While there are no specific dates, it is generally believed that around 1850-1880, it became fashionable to tie Korean coin charms to larger pieces called Byeol Jeon P’ae 별전패 (別錢牌) coin charm plaques. They are also known as Kae Kum P’ae 개금패 (開金牌) or Yul Sae P’ae 열쇠패. The terms Kae Kum P’ae (개금패) or Yul Sae P’ae (열쇠패) are generally translated as “Open Metal Key Plaque.” Western collectors use the term “chatelaine.”3 Before a wedding, the bride’s family would go to their relatives, neighbors, friends, and political allies and ask for pieces of cloth, ribbon, string, coins, or coin charms. Each donation represented a wish for the happy couple. These smaller items would be tied together onto larger chatelaines and presented to the bride on her wedding day. In the case of a wealthy and/or a politically well-connected family, these assemblages could be enormous and very ostentatious. After the wedding, the assemblage would be hung in the women’s quarters of the house. I know of a family where the completed assemblage has been handed down through the generations.
Footnotes:
- See Edgar J. Mandel, Trial Listing Korean Charms and Amulets, p. v, privately published, June 1968. He published a trial listing to solicit information on the subject. Mr. Mandel passed away in 1976 before he could complete his book on the subject.
- Edgar J. Mandel’s Trial Listing contains 709 charms (including size variations), 61 chatelaines, and a number of Korean cash coins (常平通寶, Sang P’yong T’ong Bo) that had been modified to be used as charms.
- A Western chatelaine is a decorative, yet functional, object worn at the waist to hold utilitarian items such as keys, scissors, watches, and purses. A Korean chatelaine is largely ceremonial and symbolic, designed to bring good fortune and ward off misfortune rather than carry tools.