my timesThe Korea Times
  1. Business
  2. Banking & Finance

KOMSCO joins international money fair to stay ahead of latest industry trends

Listen
By Yi Whan-woo
  • Published KST
  • Updated KST
Visitors take a look at a Canadian bullion coin that contains the country's national symbol of the Maple Leaf during the World Money Fair 2025 in Berlin. The fair was held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, drawing more than 300 relevant entities from 50 countries, including Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. (KOMSCO). Courtesy of KOMSCO

Visitors take a look at a Canadian bullion coin that contains the country's national symbol of the Maple Leaf during the World Money Fair 2025 in Berlin. The fair was held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, drawing more than 300 relevant entities from 50 countries, including Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. (KOMSCO). Courtesy of KOMSCO

The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. (KOMSCO) joined an annual international fair to keep up with the fast-changing trends occurring in the production of banknotes and coins, the company said Wednesday.

The country’s sole manufacturer of banknotes and circulating coins, the state-run KOMSCO was among 300 entities from 50 countries participating in the World Money Fair 2025.

The fair was held in Berlin from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, with the presence of central banks, banknote and minting companies, as well as those that process, distribute and sell precious metal-made products.

“We’ve learned that we’re on the right timing to shift our focus of business to commemorative coins, bullion coins and other rare products with artistic as well as commercial values," KOMSCO said.

It cited an example of a gigantic bullion coin from Canada, which weighs 10 kilograms and contains the country’s national symbol of the Maple Leaf.

The number of coins is limited to 200, and Canada’s show booth was “simply packed every day with a crowd who wanted to take a photo of the coin,” according to KOMSCO.

“The coin-making institutions are trying to be even more creative by introducing a coin that has multiple sides and angles, instead of a round-shape coin that we’re familiar with, or by putting a jewel inside a coin,” KOMSCO said.

The company has been stepping up efforts to capitalize on its decades of manufacturing experience in circulating coins, medals and gold bars to produce rare, collectible coins.

The strategy aligns with KOMSCO’s broad vision for transformation into a business entity specialized in creative cultural content.