Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 1/2 Chon 2002, KM# 190, Korea, North, World of Animals, Hippopotamus
  • 1/2 Chon 2002, KM# 190, Korea, North, World of Animals, Hippopotamus
Description

North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, with Pyongyang as its capital and the largest city in the country. To the north and northwest, the country is bordered by China and by Russia along the Amnok (known as the Yalu in Chinese) and Tumen rivers, and to the south, it is bordered by South Korea, with the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms, surrounded by the inscription "Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea", date below.

The coat of arms of North Korea features the Sup'ung dam under Mount Paektu and a power line as the escutcheon. The crest is a five-pointed red star. It is supported with ears of rice, bound with a red ribbon bearing the inscription "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea" in Chosongul characters. The design bears similarities to the emblem of the Soviet Union and other emblems of the socialist heraldic style.

조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행
조선민주주의
인민공화국
2002

Reverse

Depicts a hippopotamus right, denomination below.

The hippopotamus is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal and ungulate native to sub-Saharan Africa. The name comes from the ancient Greek for "river horse" (ἱπποπόταμος). After the elephant and rhinoceros, both of which are found in Africa, the hippopotamus is the third-largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl.

Hippos are recognisable by their barrel-shaped torsos, wide-opening mouths revealing large canine tusks, nearly hairless bodies, columnar legs and large size; adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.

Hippos inhabit rivers, lakes, and mangrove swamps, where territorial males preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young hippos. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippos rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. The hippo is among the most dangerous animals in the world as it is highly aggressive and unpredictable. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth.

½ 전

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Aluminium
Weight 2.16 g
Diameter 27.02 mm
Thickness 1.9 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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