North Korea's 1978 note series was issued in two distinct forms: one for domestic use and one — distinguished by red serial numbers and a special overprint or seal — intended for foreign visitors and diplomats operating through the state's won exchange system. Determining which sub-type a given example represents matters considerably for attribution. P#8B falls within the domestic civilian issue, circulating through the tightly controlled ration-based economy where cash played a more symbolic than transactional role.
The watermark on this series is a simple repeating pattern, unremarkable by international standards but notable given how little investment Pyongyang typically made in anti-counterfeiting infrastructure at this period.
North Korea's 1978 note series was issued in two distinct forms: one for domestic use and one — distinguished by red serial numbers and a special overprint or seal — intended for foreign visitors and diplomats operating through the state's won exchange system. Determining which sub-type a given example represents matters considerably for attribution. P#8B falls within the domestic civilian issue, circulating through the tightly controlled ration-based economy where cash played a more symbolic than transactional role.
The watermark on this series is a simple repeating pattern, unremarkable by international standards but notable given how little investment Pyongyang typically made in anti-counterfeiting infrastructure at this period.