News in Brief

New Uses for Old Banknotes

Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO) has released two more currency-themed goods made from recycled currency by-products, following the launch of the Money Pen, Money Keyring, and Money Envelope earlier this year.

The designs of the Money Cushion and Money Wallet – which replicate the 500 won coin and 100 won coin respectively – were produced under the theme ‘preserving coins that are no longer produced forever’.

The Money Cushion is made of 100% nylon, with approximately 100g of 50,000 Korean won bill by-products (worth around KRW 5 million) inside, along with cotton.

The Money Wallet is made of silver artificial leather to give the feel of coins. One side of the interior contains approximately 10g of 50,000 Korean won bill by-products worth KRW 500,000, while the other side has an inner pocket.

The production of items from banknote waste generated during printing originated from the awareness that most of the approximately 500 tonnes of banknotes destroyed each year (either banknote waste or unfit notes returned from circulation) are incinerated. KOMSCO has worked in partnership with Hana Bank to develop merchandise created from the several tonnes of materials that would otherwise be burned (see CN March 2025).