SSG.com to sell commemorative medals marking soprano Jo Su-mi's 40th debut anniversary

SSG.com announced Friday it will sell an official commemorative medal marking the 40th anniversary of world-renowned soprano Jo Su-mi's international stage debut, produced in collaboration with the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp.

Jo, SSG.com CEO Choi Taek-won and Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. President Seong Chang-hun unveiled the medal at a launch event held Thursday at Shinsegae Namsan in Jung-gu, Seoul. The medal was crafted using the corporation's precision die-striking and precious-metal manufacturing technology, and comes in two versions — a gold medal of 24-karat gold (Au999) and a silver medal of fine silver (Ag999).

The gold medal is limited to 400 pieces and the silver to 4,000. The gold medal weighs 15.55 grams (half an ounce) and the silver 31.1 grams (one ounce). They are priced at 4.785 million won ($3,410) and 385,000 won, respectively. Delivery will begin in October on a rolling basis.

The obverse features a typographic design marking the 40th anniversary alongside a portrait of Jo. The reverse depicts the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, Italy — where Jo made her debut in 1986 as Gilda in the opera "Rigoletto" — along with imagery from that performance.

SSG.com has previously partnered with the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. to release commemorative medals for figures and occasions including esports star Faker, K-pop group Seventeen and the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation. The company plans to continue strengthening its precious-metals category by sourcing products with rarity and collectible value.

"As the official medal commemorating Jo Su-mi's 40th anniversary on the world stage, we hope it becomes a truly special keepsake that people will cherish for years to come," said Kim Il-seon, SSG.com's head of lifestyle.