JAPANESE COINS & CURRENCY

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

In 1668 the Shoguns of Japan introduced a new variety of the copper 1 Mon coin which featured the Japanese character "bun" on the reverse, indicating the coin was made at the Edo (now Tokyo) mint. The obverse has the characters Kan Ei Tsu Ho, which some translate as "precious currency of the era of perpetual leniency". It was rumored that the coins were made from copper salvaged from a melted statue Buddhist statue that contained gold, which made the coins especially desireable.  Due to the special source of metal in these coins was also reputed to prevent the ill effects of tobacco when a pipe could be cast from them.  The coin continued to be made until 1700 and remained in circulation until 1873.  It is a notable and inexpensive coin 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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EARLY JAPANESE SILVER 50 SEN

In 1871 Japan officially introduced the Yen, The new, round, machine-struck coins created a unified national currency for Japan. The word Yen is derived from the Japanese word for round.  Previously coins were round, rectangular, or oblong.  The Yen was subdivided into 100 Sen.  This silver 50 Sen is dated Meiji Year 4, which is 1871AD.  The obverse depicts the imperial dragon within a circle. The reverse features a sunburst. Above it is a chrysanthemum between two paulownia flowers. The 31mm coin is struck in .800 fine silver and contains .3215 troy ounces of silver.

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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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JAPANESE COMMEMORATIVE 100 YEN COINS

Japan regularly issued circulating copper-nickel commemorative 100 Yen coins.  In 1970 Japan commemorated the Expo '70 held in Osaka.  It was the first world's fair held in Asia.  The obverse of the coin features Mount Fuji as depicted in 19th century Japanese artist Hokusai's wood block print "Fine Wind, Clear Morning".  The reverse of the 28mm coin depicts the Expo '70 emblem.
    In 1975 Japan issued a 22.5mm copper-nickel 100 Yen for Okinawa Expo '75.  The Expo celebrated the United States returning Okinawa to Japan in 1972.  The United States seized Okinawa in some of the bitterest fighting of World War II.  The centerpiece of the Exposition was the Aquapolis a floating city that envisioned how humans could live harmoniously on the ocean, and a prototype for marine communities.  It was sold was sold for scrap and towed to China in 2000.  The Shureimon gate is on the obverse of the coin.  The gate was constructed in the 16th century, destroyed in the Battle of Okinawa in World War II and reconstructed after the war.  The Expo '75 emblem and the denomination are on the reverse. 

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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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