Hachi Ryō Ban Kin
(八両判金)
(Ginza Coins Collection, Tokyo. Reproduction authorized. © All rights reserved.)
The Hachi Ryō Ban Kin, commonly known as Taikō Ōban Kin, are among the most fascinating and mysterious numismatic artifacts of Japan. Although traditionally attributed to the period of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, recent historical studies, based on documents preserved by the Gotō Shōzaburō family, custodians of the Kinza (Gold Mint), have revealed a more accurate chronology, placing their production during the Keichō period (1596–1615). A crucial document for understanding their history, the “Kuno Gozu Kingin Ukebarai Chō”, dated to the second year of the Genna era (1616), confirms their existence and limits their minting to the tenth year of the Keichō era (1605), just a few years after the issuance of Keichō Ōban Kin coins. The analysis of the seals imprinted on these coins supports this dating and confirms their authenticity. Despite their historical and cultural significance, only a few authentic examples of the Hachi Ryō Ban Kin have survived, including one displayed at the Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan.
| Coin Name | Hachi Ryō Ban Kin |
| Japanese Inscription | 八両判金 |
| Historical Period | Edo Period (1603-1868 d.C.) |
| Year of Minting | 1605 – ? d.C. |
| Chronological Reference | Japan |
| Minting Location | Unspecified |
| Issuing Authority | ? Toyotomi Hideyoshi ? Clan Tokugawa |
| Function | Effective coinage (used for both commercial transactions and symbolic purposes, associated with local authority) 8 Ryō Value |
| Material | Gold (86.8%) Silver (13.2%) |
| Shape | Oval |
| Height | 15.1 cm |
| Width | 9.0 cm |
| Weight | 142.8 g |
| Manufacturing Technique | Manual casting and hammering |
| Obverse Text and Symbols | Gosan Kiri inscribed in a fan-shaped frame Ōban inscription 大判 Mitsutsugu inscription 光次 Free-standing Gosan Kiri |
| Reverse Text and Symbols | Butterfly-style Kao |
| Calligrapher / Artist: | Unspecified |
| Museum References | Currency Museum Bank of Japan ⅡAエドa 40/1 |
| Number of Known Specimens | Extremely rare; only a few specimens preserved |
Sources and Bibliography
The Gold of Tokugawa, Alberto Rolfini 2025
瀧澤武雄, 貨幣 Takizawa Takeo, Kahei Nipponshi sho Hyakka 1999
English 
Italian