5 Won - South Korea

The 5 Won coin prominently featured the Mugunghwa, South Korea's national flower, on its reverse—a design choice that linked everyday transactions to national identity during a time of rapid change.

That same design appeared on millions of coins struck from nickel-brass planchets at the Korea Mint in Seoul. The material, a mix of copper, zinc, and nickel, was practical for circulation but prone to wear in humid climates. Variations exist; some years show subtle differences in edge reeding or die strikes, though records of exact production numbers burned in a 1970s archive fire.

Early issues from 1966 faced initial public skepticism due to the shift from aluminum predecessors. By the 1970s, though, it had become a staple in wallets. Don't mistake it for rare; most examples turn up in bulk lots at flea markets.

One oddity: the 1983 version might have been the last, but confirmations are spotty in older numismatic logs.