Pearls of witticism from 'Bo the Blogger: Kushibo's Korea blog... Kushibo-e Kibun...
Now with Less kimchi, more nunchi. Random thoughts and commentary (and indiscernibly opaque humor) about selected social, political, economic, and health-related issues of the day affecting "foreans," Koreans, Korea and East Asia, along with the US, especially Hawaii, Orange County and the rest of California, plus anything else that is deemed worthy of discussion. Forza Corea!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Korea fun facts
Did you know that coins for the Israeli currency, the Israeli new shekel (INS NIS), are produced in South Korea?
KOMSCO, the same plant in Taejŏn that produces Sejongs, Ihwangs, Yiyis, and now Shin Saimdangs also produces these Israeli coins.
My guess is that they have the capability, if they need to do it, but they don't want the treasures of their economy produced so close to their enemies.
Slight correction-- it's the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), not the INS.
As for having treasures being close to the enemy, I don't think a nation's coin supply is anything to really be concerned about. It's only a small portion of a country's wealth, and it's so vastly dispersed that enemy access isn't really a concern (unlike, say access to the people using that money). Like many countries that outsource the printing of paper currency, I'm sure that it's just a simple matter of outsourcing being cheaper than domestic production.
holterbarbour wrote: Slight correction-- it's the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), not the INS.
D'oh! Thanks. Fixed.
And it was a stupid mistake on my part since I was looking right at the abbreviation NIS as I was typing that. I guess having spent the past three years hiding out from La Migra is really taking a toll on me.
As for having treasures being close to the enemy, I don't think a nation's coin supply is anything to really be concerned about. It's only a small portion of a country's wealth, and it's so vastly dispersed that enemy access isn't really a concern (unlike, say access to the people using that money). Like many countries that outsource the printing of paper currency, I'm sure that it's just a simple matter of outsourcing being cheaper
I prefer my explanation because it makes better fodder for spy novels.
Interesting!
ReplyDeletefunny how Israelis can make radars & UAV's but they can't mint their own currency...
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that they have the capability, if they need to do it, but they don't want the treasures of their economy produced so close to their enemies.
ReplyDeleteSlight correction-- it's the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), not the INS.
ReplyDeleteAs for having treasures being close to the enemy, I don't think a nation's coin supply is anything to really be concerned about. It's only a small portion of a country's wealth, and it's so vastly dispersed that enemy access isn't really a concern (unlike, say access to the people using that money). Like many countries that outsource the printing of paper currency, I'm sure that it's just a simple matter of outsourcing being cheaper than domestic production.
holterbarbour wrote:
ReplyDeleteSlight correction-- it's the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), not the INS.
D'oh!
Thanks.
Fixed.
And it was a stupid mistake on my part since I was looking right at the abbreviation NIS as I was typing that. I guess having spent the past three years hiding out from La Migra is really taking a toll on me.
As for having treasures being close to the enemy, I don't think a nation's coin supply is anything to really be concerned about. It's only a small portion of a country's wealth, and it's so vastly dispersed that enemy access isn't really a concern (unlike, say access to the people using that money). Like many countries that outsource the printing of paper currency, I'm sure that it's just a simple matter of outsourcing being cheaper
I prefer my explanation because it makes better fodder for spy novels.