Production of commemorative medal with world's second 'astronomical map'... includes diamonds

▲ This photo, provided by the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation, shows the front of the "Celestial Chart Stone" medal. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, April 21 (Yonhap) -- In line with the Science Day on the 21st, the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation produced and presented a commemoration medallion of the National treasure, "Celestial Chart Stone," an astronomical map of the Joseon Dynasty.

Known as the world's second oldest astronomical map, the Celestial Chart Stone has the carvings of a planisphere, a chart of constellations on a rectangular stone slab. It was made by 11 astronomers including Gwon Geun and Yu Bang-taek under orders of King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty to show the authority of the dynasty.

The commemorative medal shows the twinkling stars by expressing the Big Dipper and the North Star with diamonds.

Golden Dew, a diamond craft corporation was also involved in the medal production. According to the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation, high quality diamonds were selected by the jewelry craftsman, Son Kwang-soo along with a technology that specializes in recognizing high-quality diamonds.

Two types of medals, gold (99.9% pure, 30.7g) and silver (99.9% pure, 30.9g), were produced in a limited amount. Each diamond contains 0.1 carat (Seven 0.01 carat and one 0.03 carat diamonds).

The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation is planning to donate a portion of the sales for the protection of the South Korean cultural heritage overseas.

The CEO of the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation, Bahn Jahng-Shick, said, "It's very meaning to allow more people to enjoy the culture of Korea and to be able to support the Cultural heritage."

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.)

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