JAPANESE COINS & CURRENCY

UNUSUAL OLD HANSATSU NOTE OF JAPAN

The Shoguns of Japan were military leaders. From the 16th century until the Meiji Restoration in 1868 they dominated Japanese society. The Emperor was little more than a religious figurehead. Emphasis was placed on military achievement and contact with foreign influences was shunned. During this period many local clans, merchants, communities and banks issued their own currency. These tall, thin notes (approximately 6" x 1.5", 160mm x 40mm) printed on heavy paper were known as Hansatsu. They come in a variety of designs, ranging from simple to intricate. Because of the lack of English language references of this very extensive series, the notes are usually not identified by issuer.
We also have a number of unidentified hansatsu notes which we are offer in lots of all different. Notes will grade Very Good to Very Fine. Notes will probably be different than what is pictured on this page.

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COPPER 1 MON COIN OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN   

In 1626 the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan introduced a new cast copper coin known as the Kanei Tsuho.  It replaced a mixture of Chinese coins and privately minted coins that were in circulation. The 1 Mon Kanei Tsuho coin was the lowest denomination issued and served as the mainstay of the Japanese economy for over 200 years, until the Shoguns were replaced in the Meiji Restoration in 1867.The obverse has the characters Kan Ei Tsu Ho, which translates as "Current Treasure of Kan-ei". Kan-ei refers to the era of the Shogunate that lasted from 1603 to 1644, however the inscription continued long after that era. In 1668 a new variety was introduced, with the Japanese character "bun" on the reverse, indicating the coin was made at the Edo (now Tokyo) mint. The Edo coins are of good quality and are well made. They continued to be issued until about 1700.  It is a notable and inexpensive coins from an important period of Japanese history.

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RECTANGULAR GOLD & SILVER COINS OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN 

These unusual rectangular silver and gold coins were some of the last coins issued by the famous and once powerful Shoguns of Japan. The Shoguns were the military rulers of Japan, who for hundreds of years controlled the island nation.  They were finally forced from power in 1867 due to the pressures of modernization brought about by the United States.  Their militaristic influence continued however, leading to World War II
The Gold 2 Shu (Nishu) was minted from 1860 until 1869.  It is approximately 11.5mm x 6.5mm and struck in an alloy of 23% gold, 77% silver.  It is one of the least expensive gold coins available to collectors. The silver 1 Bu (Ichibu) is approximately 24mm x 16mm.  It was issued from 1837 until 1868. It includes an official countermark on the reverse.  The smaller silver 1 Shu (Isshu) is 14mm x 9 mm and was issued from 1853 until 1865.  The coins are some of the few rectangular coins ever used by any nation in general circulation.  The coins grade Very Fine or better.  Despite being almost 150 years old or older, these remarkable and historic coins are quite reasonably priced.

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RECTANGULAR GOLD COIN FROM THE MEIJI RESTORATION OF JAPAN  

This rectangular gold 2 Bu (Ni Bu) was minted in Japan from 1867 to 1869. It was one of the first coins of the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration overthew the highly traditional and once powerful Shogun warlords and restored the Emperor as the center of the Japanese government.  The Meiji restoration was also a modernization movement, that opened Japan to western ideas. A few years after this coin was introduced, Japan adopted western style round coins, so these coins were soon withdrawn from circulation and many were melted.    The coin weighs approximately 3 grams and is struck in .223 fine gold.   It is an interesting and historic gold coin that represents the end of Japan's traditional ways under the Shoguns and the introduction of new ways under the Meiji Restoration.

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ATTRACTIVE AND HISTORIC SILVER JAPANESE 50 SEN 

This attractive silver 50 Sen coin was the last silver coin issued by Japan before World War II.  It was struck from 1922 to 1938.  The design is rich in Japanese symbolism.  One side depicts two Phoenix, or Hō-ō.  According to legend they appear very rarely, in order to mark the beginning of a new era, or to indicate a period of peace and prosperity.  Above the birds is a chrysanthemum or kiku in Japanese.  The chrysanthemum is the Imperial seal. The Imperial office itself is known as the Chrysanthemum Throne, and is the oldest monarchy in the world. It is said that the Empire of Japan was founded in 660 BC by the Emperor Jimmu Tenno, and that his descendents continue to reign to this day; the current Emperor Akhito (Heisei Tenno) is the direct 125th descendant of Jimmu.   Beneath the birds are the Kiri, or Paulownia leaves. They are the emblem of the government of Japan. Thus the symbols of both the Imperial and civilian government of Japan are represented on the coin.  The stems of the leaves form a karakusa - a winding-stem pattern that was often used in traditional Japanese artistry.  The reverse features a sunburst flanked by two cherry blossoms within an ancient sacred bronze mirror.  The mirror, known as the Yata no Kagami is part of the Imperial Regalia and is considered an essential possession for a new emperor to claim the Chrysanthemum Throne.  Cherry blossoms symbolize innocence, simplicity, and rebirth.  Their annual spring bloom is widely celebrated in Japan. The sun is the national symbol of Japan and is used on their flag.  Japan is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun”.  The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why it is known as the “Land of the Rising Sun”.    The 23.5mm coin is struck in .720 fine silver

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WORLD WAR II JAPANESE COIN SET

This set includes the eight regular issue coins minted by Japan during World War II.  The aluminum 1 Sen depicting Mount Fuji was minted from 1941 to 1943. Mount Fuji is a symbol of the country and is considered sacred by many Japanese.  The aluminum 5 Sen minted from 1940 to 1943 depicts a golden kite bird on one side and the Imperial Chrysanthemum Seal and clouds on the other.  The golden kite was a symbol of Japanese military prowess.  The aluminum 10 Sen minted from 1940 to 1943 features a double petal cherry blossom on one side and the Imperial Chrysanthemum seal on the other.   In 1944 new 1, 5 and 10 Sen coins were struck in a tin-zinc alloy in order to conserve the aluminum for the war effort.   The 5 and 10 Sen both had a center hole. Above the hole is the Chrysanthemum Seal representing the Emperor.  Beneath is the Paulownia Crest within clouds representing the civil government of Japan. They were struck only a single year.  The 1 Sen depicts the Chrysanthemum Seal and was minted in both 1944 and 1945.   New 5 and 10 Sen coins were minted in 1945 after Japan surrendered.  The new coins included the denomination in western numerals for the first time on Japanese coins.  The tin-zinc 5 Sen features a dove.  The 10 Sen features a cherry blossom on one side and rice stalks on the other. Both coins include the Chrysanthemum Seal.  The coins were minted only two years, 1945 and 1946.  It is an historic set of Japanese coins.

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SCARCE WWII CLAY COIN FROM JAPAN

By the end of World War II Japan suffered from a severe shortage of metal needed to make coins.  Emergency coins were made out of clay, however the coins circulated for only for only a few days in cental Japan before the Japanese surrender on August 15, 1945. This scarce clay 1 Sen coin circulated for only a few days at the end of World War II in central Japan.  The unusual, undated 1 Sen coin features Mt. Fuji on one side and sakura blossems on the other.  The 15mm coin is made from red or brown clay.  It is quite scarce and unknown to many collectors.

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LAST CIRCULATING SILVER COIN OF JAPAN  

Japan released a new silver 100 Yen coin in 1959.  The obverse depicts a sheaf of rice.  The denomination is featured on the reverse.  The coin was minted only seven years, until 1966, when the rising price of silver forced Japan to remove silver from their circulating coins. The coins are dated year 34 to year 41 of the Showa era in the imperial Japanese calendar. The 22.5mm coin is struck in .600 fine silver and contains .0926 troy ounces of silver. 

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JAPAN CELEBRATES EXPO '70

Japan issued this copper-nickel 100 Yen coin to commemorate Expo '70, held in Osaka.  It was the first World's Fair held in Japan.  Seventy seven nations participated in the event and over 64 million people attended the six month event.  It set a record for the most visitors until the 2010 Shanghai Expo.  The attractive 28mm coin features Mount Fuji on one side and the Expo logo on the other.   The coin is dated the 45th year of the Showa Era (reign of Emperor Hirohito), which corresonds to 1970.

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WORLD WAR II JAPANESE MILITARY CURRENCY USED IN CHINA  

Japan  issued Military Currency starting in 1938 for use in the areas of China that they occupied. Because civilians were forced to accept the Military Yen, which was not backed and could not be exchanged into Japanese Yen, it cost the Japanese government virtually nothing to purchase whatever they wanted. The initial issues of Military currency were created by taking partially completed Japanese homeland notes and overprinting them on the front and back with four large red characters that read "Military Note". 

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UNUSUAL FIBER COINS FROM WWII JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CHINA  

Manchukuo was a Japanese puppet state carved out of Northeastern China prior to World War II.  Due to a severe metal shortage towards the end of the war, it issued these unusual 1 Fen and 5 Fen coins struck in a thick, red material rather than metal. The coins are dated in the year of the reign of Emperor Kang Te of Manchukuo.   Kang Te was formerly known as Pu Yi, who was the last Emperor of China until he was deposed in 1911. The Japanese used him as the figurehead leader for Manchukuo.  The 1 Fen struck only a single year; 1945.  The 5 Fen was struck in 1944 and 1945. Because the material used was relitively soft, the coins show considerable wear. These historic World War II coins are some of the few circulating non-metallic coins of the 20th century.  

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MENG CHIANG JAPANESE PUPPET BANK   

During the 1930's Japan conquered much of Northern China.  The Meng Chiang Bank was a puppet bank established by the Japanese to provide currency for the area between Mongolia and Manchukuo, known as Inner Mongolia.  In 1938 the Bank issued its only coin: a copper-nickel 5 Chiao. One side of the coin features a pair of stylized dragons and the denomination.   The other side has a floral design.

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JAPANESE INVASION MONEY FOR BURMA

Prior to World War II, Burma (now Myanmar) was under British rule. Japanese forces attacked Burma on December 14, 1941.  Within five months the British forces were defeated or retreated to India and Burma came under Japanese control. Japan issued these banknotes for their occupation of Burma.. Like the previous British issues, the notes are in English and denominated in Rupees. The undated notes were issued from 1942 to 1944.  The fronts of the notes all bear the legend "THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT" and depict the Ananada Temple in Pagan (Bagan).  The backs have the denomination and a geometric design.  This five-note set includes the 1/2, 1, 5, 10 and 100 Rupees. The notes are Uncirculated, though may have been slightly mishandled in storage.

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JAPANESE INVASION OF THE UNITED STATES?

When these notes issued by Japan started showing up during World War II, many people took it as proof that Japan was about to conquer the United States and had already printed new currency for the United States. After all, the notes were clearly denominated in Dollar or Cents and had the words "THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT" in large letters.  The story was repeated so many times that many believed it must be true.  Though the Japanese government did print the notes, however they were for use in Malay, which Japan conquered by early 1942, and not the United States.   Like the United States, Malaya used dollars and cents.  The Uncirculated 10 Dollar notes pictures features bananas, breadfruit and coconuts on the front and palm trees and a ship steaming in the horizon on the back.   These are historic collector’s items recalling Japan’s unsuccessful attempt to extend her empire across Asia in World War II

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scale with which to judge image sizes

All items are guaranteed to be genuine, unless clearly indicated otherwise.
NOTE:  All pictures are of a typical item taken from stock.  Because we have multiples of most items, the item you receive may not look exactly the same, however it will be as described.

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Joel Anderson
PO Box 365
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USA

Phone: 1 805 489 8045 | Fax: 1 805 299 1818
Email: orders@joelscoins.com

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