Moneta
Registered: August 2005 Location: Arizona USA Posts: 2,365
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First issue of a divided Korea established in 1948. Date expressed in a format based on a mythical foundation in prehistoric times KE 4292 = 1959; these issues were based upon the Korean foundation date of Dangi (2333 B.C.), see below for more information. Reverse depicts the National flower the Rose of Sharon. A species of Rose of Sharon (Hypericum calycinum) is actually the South Korean national flower, where the Korean name for it means 'Immortal Flower'. "I am the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valleys." Song of Solomon 2:1
From 1945 until 1961 in South Korea, Gregorian calendar years were counted from the foundation of Gojoseon in 2333 BC (regarded as year one), the date of the legendary founding of Korea by Dangun, hence these Dangi (단기 / 檀紀) years were 4278 to 4294. This numbering was informally used with the Korean lunar calendar before 1945 but has only been occasionally used since 1961, and mostly in North Korea prior to 1997. [Wikipedia]
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