JAPANESE COINS & CURRENCY

COPPER 1 MON & 4 MON COINS OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN  

In 1636 the Tokugawa shogunate introduced a copper 1 Mon coin.  The four characters on the obverse: Kan Ei Tsu Ho translate as "precious currency of Kan'ei".  It was the first government issued copper coins in 700 years. Japan continued to use the same obverse design on copper coins for the next 230 years.  In 1668 Japan introduced a new variety of the 1 Mon coin which featured the Japanese character "bun" on the reverse, indicating the coin was made at the Edo (now Tokyo) mint. The "bun" type contiued to be produced until about 1700.  A new variety of 4 Mon was intorduced in 1669.  The coin had the same obverse as the 1 Mon, but had 11 waves on the reverse to make it easily distinguishable from the slightly smaller 1 Mon.   It was minted intermentiedly until 1860. With the introduction of the Yen in 1870, the 1 Mon was valued at 1 Rin (1/1000 Yen) and the 4 Mon at 2 Rin.  The coins were allowed to remain in circulation until 1891. They are inexpensive coins of the Shoguns of Japan.

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AN UNUSUAL OLD JAPANESE COIN   

This large oblong bronze 100 Mon coin of Japan, known as the Tempo Tsuho, was struck from 1835 to 1870, a period of transition in Japan from the long ruling Shoguns to the modernization of the Meiji Restoration. The undated coin's unusual shape and large size has made it a perennial favorite with collectors.

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RECTANGULAR 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 silver 1 Bu (Ichi bu Gin) 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 Gin) 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. 

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INEXPENSIVE OLD GOLD COIN OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN  

The Gold 2 Shu (Nishu) was minted from 1860 until 1869. It was one of the last coins issued by the once powerful Shoguns who ruled Japan until 1867.   The rectangular coin is approximately 11.5mm x 6.5mm and struck in an alloy of 23% gold, 77% silver.  Despite being over 150 years old it is one of the least expensive gold coins available to collectors today.

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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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OLD JAPANESE 5 RIN COIN

Japan issued the 5 Rin coin for only four years, from 1916 to 1919. 5 Rin was half a Sen , or 1/200th of a Yen. It was the lowest denomination minted at that time. The 18.8mm bronze coin features the denomination within a floral wreath on one side and the Paulowina crest flanked by two small cherry blossoms on the other. 

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LAST BRONZE JAPANESE 1 SEN FORSHADOWS UPCOMING WAR  

In 1938 Japan intoduced a new design for their bronze 1 Sen coin.  The obverse features the mythological crow called Yatagarasu, which sybolizes a devine intervention into human affairs.  The other side features the Imperial Chrysanthemum seal, which signifies the Emperor at the top.  The denomination is in the middle.  At the bottom is the Paulownia Flower, which is the seal of the civilian government of Japan.  The new coin replaced the previous 1 Sen which featured only the Paulownia Flower. The coin is dated in the 13th year of Emperor Hirohito's reign (Showa Era year 13).  When the coin was issued Japan had already invaded China and was gearing up for more war.  Because copper was an important war material, the new bronze coin had less copper than the previous issues.   The 23mm bronze coin was struck for less than a year before it was replaced with an aluminum coin.  The historic, old coin is in Uncirculated condition, though may show a bit of toning.

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WORLD WAR II JAPANESE 1 SEN COINS

The 1 Sen coin was the lowest denomination in circulation in Japan by the beginning of World War I. It was worth 1/100 of a Yen.  Japan’s decline in World War II is reflected in the decline of its 1 Sen coin. During 1938 Japan replaced the bronze 1 Sen coin  with a 17.6 aluminum coin bearing the same design (Y56) . In 1941 the 1 Sen was reduced to a 16mm aluminum coin (Y59).   Mount Fuji and the Chrysanthemum seal are on one side and the denomination on the other. In 1944 the 1 Sen was further reduced to a 15mm zinc coin (Y62). The Chrysanthemum seal is on one side and the name of the country “Great Japan” and the date is on the other.  The coin was discontinued after Japan’s defeat in World War II, having lost virtually all of its value.

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JAPANESE INVASION MONEY

As Japanese forces  conquered Burma, Malaya and the Philippines in World War II they introduced their own currency.  Anyone found with any other type of currency was subject to severe punishment.  As English was the official language of these three colonies, the notes were printed in English and were denominated in the currency that had been in circulation.  The notes were only labeled “THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT” without mentioning the colony.  The red 10 Rupee note for Burma depict the Ananda Temple in Bagan.  The dark blue and yellow 10 Dollar note for Malaya bananas, breadfruit and coconuts and a ship steaming in the horizon on the back.   The black and light blue Philippine 10 Pesos note depicts a banana plantation.

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JAPANESE INVASION OF THE UNITED STATES?

When these 10 Dollar notes issued by The Japanese Government started showing up shortly after World War II, many people took it as proof that Japan planned to invade the United States, and had their new currency for the United States already printed.  The story was repeated so many times that many believed it must be true.  Though the Japanese government did print the notes, they were for use in Malaya, which Japan conquered by early 1942, not the United States.   Like the United States, Malaya called their currency the Dollar.  However, the design is much more suited to Malaya than the United States.  The front features bananas, breadfruit and coconuts. The back pictures palm trees and a ship steaming on the horizon. Each note has two sets of block letters, starting with the letter “M”, which stood for Malaya.  As an anti-counterfeiting measure tiny colored silk threads were embedded into the paper.  These unissued, Crisp Uncirculated 10 Dollar notes were abandoned by the Japanese forces in Malaya after Japan’s surrender in 1945.  They sat in storage for many years since then.   Today they are historic collector’s items recalling Japan’s unsuccessful attempt to extend her empire across Asia in World War II.

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BOOK: JAPANESE CERAMIC COINAGE, CIRCA 1945

By Gregory Hale  A detailed study of the varieties, designs, production techniques, and factories that made these scarce and mysterious ceramic coins made by Japan in the closing days of World War II.  Contains a listing that includes many little-known varieties of this unusual coinage. Well-illustrated. 48 pages, softcover, 5.75" x 8"
Item BOOK-CERM   JAPANESE CERAMIC COINAGE BOOK    $22.00

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