KOMSCO Currency Museum
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KOMSCO Currency Museum

4.3
·748 reviews·, South Korea

Explore the fascinating world of money, from the intricate printing process to global currencies and the history of the Korean Won.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing

CrowdLow
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KOMSCO Currency Museum

KOMSCO Currency Museum

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore the fascinating world of money, from the intricate printing process to global currencies and the history of the Korean Won.

4.3
(748 reviews)

"An awesome experience with well-curated exhibits and helpful staff, offering a unique glimpse into currency creation."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Free Admission!

Entry to the KOMSCO Currency Museum is completely free, making it an excellent budget-friendly activity.

🗣️ English-Speaking Staff

Don't hesitate to ask questions; the staff are helpful and speak English.

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Intaglio Press & Paper Machine

Intaglio Press & Paper Machine

Ground Floor

Witness impressive miniature replicas of the machinery used to print money, offering a glimpse into the intricate production process.

Global Currency Collection

Global Currency Collection

Upper Floor

Explore a diverse array of coins and banknotes from around the world, including vintage American money and unique vertical Swiss bills.

Evolution of Korean Won

Evolution of Korean Won

Ground Floor

Trace the fascinating history of Korean currency, from pre-invasion eras to modern times, showcasing its evolution.

DIY Commemorative Bookmark

DIY Commemorative Bookmark

Souvenir Area

Create your own personalized aluminum bookmark by pressing it with historical Korean coin designs.

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Planning Your Visit

Free Admission & Self-Guided Exploration

Enjoy a free, self-guided tour of the KOMSCO Currency Museum. While staff are helpful and speak English, the exhibits are designed for independent exploration, making it an accessible and informative visit for all.

Interactive Souvenirs & Unique Finds

Don't miss the chance to create your own unique souvenir! You can press a personalized aluminum bookmark with historical Korean coin designs. The gift shop also offers commemorative coins and uncut currency sheets.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed viewing
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoons
Why
Staff are available for questions
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🎯 Free Admission!

Entry to the KOMSCO Currency Museum is completely free, making it an excellent budget-friendly activity. Reddit

🗣️ English-Speaking Staff

Don't hesitate to ask questions; the staff are helpful and speak English. Reddit

🧰 Create Your Own Souvenir

Press your own unique aluminum bookmark with historical coin designs for a memorable keepsake. Reddit

⏳ Quick Visit

The museum is relatively small, so you can expect to complete your visit in about an hour. Reddit

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Free Admission!

Entry to the KOMSCO Currency Museum is completely free, making it an excellent budget-friendly activity. Reddit

🗣️ English-Speaking Staff

Don't hesitate to ask questions; the staff are helpful and speak English. Reddit

🧰 Create Your Own Souvenir

Press your own unique aluminum bookmark with historical coin designs for a memorable keepsake. Reddit

⏳ Quick Visit

The museum is relatively small, so you can expect to complete your visit in about an hour. Reddit

💰 Souvenir Shop Finds

Check out the gift shop for commemorative coins, uncut currency sheets, and even North Korean bills. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.3
(748 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the KOMSCO Currency Museum for its free admission and well-curated exhibits, particularly the impressive miniature printing machinery and the diverse global currency collection. The helpful English-speaking staff and the unique opportunity to create a personalized souvenir bookmark are also frequently mentioned positives. Some visitors, however, expected a larger museum with more extensive gift shop offerings.

"I work in the industry and I have to admit that the exhibitions are pretty well curated. Miniature Intaglio press and paper machine are impressive! Compared to its equivalent in Finland, here is more substance and more background for money making hardware. On the other hand in currency museum of Helsinki there is more about mechanisms behind the value of the money."

Aatu Dorochenko

"This place is an awesome experience. I enjoyed how the staff did speak English and helped us with all our questions.

They had an aluminum press there that you can buy a bookmark size aluminum sheet that you can press yourself into a cool looking bookmark with a pressing of the old school Korean coins.

The bottom floor is all about coins from long ago to today. They even have coins from all the Olympics and the world cup. The main part I enjoyed was the star wars coins, that was a surprise.

Upstairs was all about paper money and national medals they award to outstanding citizens and soldiers of Korea. They also had a section on how they combat counterfeit bills from all over the world. Most of it was money that was produced pre 1910 Japanese invasion, during the Japanese occupation, and after August 15, 1945. It was very informative to see how the Korean won has evolved.

In one of the last rooms, you visit they have money from all over the world that's on display. From bills to coins. Was really cool to see vintage American money in there as well. By far the coolest monetary note was the Swiss. Vertical bills...

Awesome visit. Entry is free. Self-guided tour. Helpful staff that speaks English.

There is a small souvenir store inside near the cafe. It acts as a small 7-11 as well. You can get old commemorative coins and even some bills from North Korea and other countries. They also sold coins from jorea and uncut bills from the mint. They had 10 5 and 1's bills that were uncut."

Garrett Miyata

"it is a nice place to visit. you can get a good idea about the evolution of Korean currency. not only that you can witness different types of currencies and notes ."

Harshanath Kanchana

What People Like

Free admission
Impressive machinery exhibits
Global currency displays

What People Dislike

Smaller than expected
Limited gift shop

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The KOMSCO Currency Museum is located in Daejeon, South Korea. Visitors typically reach it via public transportation within the city. Specific bus routes or subway lines would depend on your starting point in Daejeon. It's recommended to use a local navigation app for the most up-to-date transit information.

Information regarding dedicated parking for visitors at the KOMSCO Currency Museum is not widely available. It's advisable to check with the museum directly or consider using public transport to avoid parking concerns.

While specific accessibility details are not extensively documented online, museums generally strive to be accessible. It's best to contact the KOMSCO Currency Museum in advance to inquire about ramps, elevators, and other accessibility features.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, the KOMSCO Currency Museum offers free admission for all visitors. This makes it an accessible and budget-friendly attraction for everyone interested in currency history. Reddit

Opening hours for the KOMSCO Currency Museum can vary. It's recommended to check their official website or contact them directly for the most current operating times before your visit.

Since admission is free and the museum is self-guided, advance booking is typically not required for individuals or small groups. However, for larger organized tours, it might be beneficial to inquire about group reservations.

The museum is generally open on weekends, but it's always a good practice to confirm the specific weekend operating hours, as these can sometimes differ from weekday schedules.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You can explore the history of Korean currency, see global banknotes and coins, witness miniature replicas of money printing machinery, and learn about anti-counterfeiting measures. Reddit

Yes, children may find the museum interesting, especially the interactive elements like pressing their own bookmark and seeing the variety of global currencies. Reddit

A visit to the KOMSCO Currency Museum is typically quite brief, often taking around an hour to see all the exhibits. Reddit

The museum offers a self-guided tour experience. While staff are available to answer questions, there are no formal guided tours provided.

Photography policies can vary. It's best to look for signage within the museum or ask staff if photography is permitted in all exhibition areas.

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

There is a small cafe located near the souvenir store inside the museum. It also functions as a small convenience store. Reddit

Daejeon offers a wide range of dining options. You can find local Korean restaurants, cafes, and international cuisine in the vicinity of the museum. Exploring the surrounding neighborhoods will reveal many choices.

Generally, bringing outside food and drinks into museum exhibition areas is discouraged to preserve the exhibits. It's best to consume any personal food or beverages outside the museum or in designated areas if available.

📸 📸 Photography

Key photo opportunities include the miniature intaglio press, the diverse global currency displays, and the unique vertical Swiss banknotes. The DIY bookmark station also offers a fun photo moment. Reddit

Flash photography is often prohibited in museums to protect delicate exhibits from light damage. Always check for signage or ask museum staff before using flash.

The detailed machinery replicas, the historical Korean currency displays, and the international currency section with its varied designs are highly photogenic. The souvenir press station is also a popular spot for photos. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The KOMSCO Currency Museum is a surprisingly engaging spot for families. The free admission makes it an easy choice for a budget-friendly outing. Kids often enjoy the interactive bookmark pressing station where they can create their own souvenir.Reddit Seeing the miniature money printing machines can also spark their imagination about how money is made. The global currency displays offer a visual feast of different coins and bills from around the world, which can be a fun way to learn about geography and different cultures. Reddit

While the museum is largely self-guided, the staff are known to be helpful and speak English, which can be a great asset for families with questions. The exhibits are generally easy to follow, and the visit is relatively short, making it suitable for shorter attention spans. Consider it a unique educational stop that offers a different perspective on history and economics.

💰 Budget Travelers

For budget-conscious travelers, the KOMSCO Currency Museum is a gem. Its free admission means you can immerse yourself in history and culture without spending a dime on entry fees.Reddit This makes it an ideal addition to any itinerary where every dollar counts. The self-guided nature of the tour also means you can spend as much or as little time as you like, tailoring the experience to your schedule and energy levels. Reddit

While the museum itself is free, you might want to allocate a small budget for the souvenir shop, especially if you're tempted by the commemorative coins or the DIY bookmark press.Reddit Even with a small souvenir purchase, the overall cost of the visit remains very low, offering significant value for the experience gained. It's a perfect example of how to enjoy enriching cultural activities without breaking the bank.

🤓 History & Numismatics Enthusiasts

For those with a keen interest in history and the study of currency (numismatics), the KOMSCO Currency Museum is a must-visit. The detailed exhibits on the evolution of the Korean Won provide invaluable insights into the nation's economic and political past. You can explore currency from different eras, including periods of significant historical change like the Japanese occupation.Reddit The museum's focus on the mechanisms behind money creation, with its miniature presses, offers a technical appreciation for the craft. Reddit

The global currency collection is another highlight, showcasing a wide array of international banknotes and coins. This section allows for comparative study and appreciation of diverse designs and security features. Furthermore, the museum's attention to anti-counterfeiting measures adds another layer of depth for enthusiasts interested in the security aspects of currency. The souvenir shop also presents opportunities to acquire unique numismatic items, making the visit both educational and potentially rewarding for collectors. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Art and Science of Money Production

The KOMSCO Currency Museum offers a fascinating look into the intricate world of money production. The ground floor showcases impressive miniature replicas of the intaglio press and paper machine, tools essential for creating banknotes. These exhibits provide a tangible understanding of the complex processes involved in printing currency, highlighting the precision and technology required. Visitors can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into each bill, from the specialized inks to the security features embedded within the paper. Reddit

Beyond the machinery, the museum delves into the evolution of Korean currency, the Korean Won. You can trace its transformation through various historical periods, including the Japanese occupation and post-liberation eras. This historical perspective is crucial for understanding the economic and political landscape of Korea. The displays often feature notes and coins that reflect significant national events and changes, making the currency a living testament to the country's past. Reddit

Furthermore, the museum addresses the critical aspect of combating counterfeit bills. This section provides insights into the sophisticated methods used by mints worldwide to prevent fraud. Seeing examples of counterfeit money and learning about the security features that differentiate genuine currency from fakes offers a unique educational experience. It underscores the constant battle between currency creators and counterfeiters, a battle fought with advanced technology and meticulous design. TikTok

A World of Currencies and Collectibles

The upper floors of the KOMSCO Currency Museum open up a global perspective on money. Here, you'll find an extensive collection of coins and banknotes from around the world. This diverse display allows visitors to compare different monetary systems, appreciate varied artistic designs on currency, and discover unique features like the vertical Swiss bills. It's a journey across continents, showcasing the economic diversity and cultural expressions embedded in the money people use daily. Reddit

For collectors and enthusiasts, the museum's souvenir store is a significant draw. It offers a chance to purchase commemorative coins, uncut currency sheets, and even bills from various countries, including North Korea. These items provide a tangible connection to the world of numismatics and philately, allowing visitors to take home a piece of monetary history. The availability of uncut bills, in particular, offers a rare glimpse into the minting process and a unique collectible item. Reddit

One of the most engaging interactive experiences is the opportunity to press your own aluminum bookmark. Using a miniature press, you can imprint a design of old Korean coins onto a sheet of aluminum. This hands-on activity is not only fun but also creates a personalized and lasting souvenir that encapsulates the museum's theme. It’s a perfect way to engage visitors, especially younger ones, with the concept of currency and its historical significance. Reddit

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