Japanese coins


23 mm
Obv.: Kuan Ei Tsu Ho
Rev.: plain
Ref.: [S] XXII No. 14 to 16

"Cast in the 3rd year (1626) and continued to be issued till the sixth year of Ansen, 1859, or for some 230 years. The first coins were made in the province of Mito, an ancient centre for classical learning."[S]

There are many slight variations to this coin.
As well as having a plain reverse this coins has many Reverse Varieties.


28 mm
Obv.: Kuan Ei Tsu Ho
Rev.: 11 waves
Ref.: [S] XXII No. 34

"The Nami or 'Wave' cash, as shown by the design. Also known as the Shi-mon, the four mon coin, its value being one to four of the ordinary cash. One specimen has 21 waves and one, the most common one, has 11 waves. Cast in 1768-9."[S]


37 mm
Obv.: Kuan Ei Tsu Ho
Rev.: Ei Sei Toi Yo on rim
Ref.: [S] XXII No. 36

"In the margin of the reverse appears the legend Ei-sei toi-yo (Chinese: Yung-shih chiu-yung, 'for the everlasting use of the age'. This coin was issued at the value of one to ten of the ordinary Kuan-yung currency. Its size being inconvenient and the ten cash value only nominal, the coin became unpopular with the people. The coin was withdrawn in 1709. Note the small additional stamp mark on the reverse rim [8 O'clock position], Chinese Chen 'precious'."[S]


26 mm
Obv.: Bun Kiu Ei Ho
Rev.: 11 waves
Ref.: [S] XXII No. 38-39

"These coins were issued in 1863 and were the last of the Tokugawa shogunate. They have, like No. 34, the sign of waves on the reverse. The one of the two specimens is written in running hand, the other in the orthodox way."[S]


49 mm tall x 32 mm wide

Obv.: Ten Po Tsu Ho
Rev.: To Hyaku - Equal to 100
Ref.: [S] XXII No. 40

"A large oval coin value one hundred. On the face of the outer edge on the two sides of the coin there is a stamp mark of a cherry blossom (see below). The composition of the coin is copper 78 per cent, lead 12 per cent, and tin 10 per cent. Cast in 1835 in Fukagawa, Tokyo, and Osaka. During the Mei-ji (Chinese: Ming-chih) era the value of the coin was 125 pieces to a yen (Mex. dollar)."[S]

Cherry blossom mark


40 mm

Obv.: Ryu Kyu Tsu Ho
Rev.: Top: Half Moon
Ref.: [S] XXII No. 57

This coin is from the Ryukyu Islands, also known as Lui-Chiu

Ryu Kyu Tsu Ho (Chinese: Lui Chiu T'ung Pao meaning "the currency of Lui-ch'iu")

"A large round coin,in seal-writing, with a half moon on the reverse. Its value was 31 mon (cash). This coin was cast in Satsume, year 1862."[S]

Also see a similar coin with different reverse.

Also see the Bank of Japans history of Japanese money.

 

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