Reservations began on Monday for coins to be issued to commemorate the recovery of Sungnyemun, Korea’s national treasure No. 1.

The Bank of Korea, Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corp.and the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea unveiled the prototype of the “Sungnyemun recovery commemoration coin” at the Currency Museum of the Bank of Korea in Seoul on Monday and began to receive sales reservations.

The front side depicts Sungnyemun and its restored wall, and the back a pattern of “Bonghwang,” a propitious fictional bird, which is inscribed on Sungnyemun’s roof tiles. The coin is 99.9 percent silver. A total of 30,000 coins will be minted — 27,000 and 3,000 coins for domestic and overseas sales, respectively.

Sungnyemun totally collapsed in an arson with the first- and second-floor pavilions burned down in February 2009. Its recovery works are in the last stage. As of February, they are 96 percent complete. The completion date is not determined yet.

The face value of one coin is 50,000 won but will be sold for 57,000 won. An individual is allowed to buy up to three coins. Purchase requests should be made at Nonghyup and Woori banks until March 25. Coins will be distributed on May 10.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)