Suruga Sumigaki
Koban Kin
(駿河墨書小判金)
(Ginza Coins Collection, Tokyo. Reproduction authorized. © All rights reserved.)
The Suruga Sumigaki Koban Kin is a gold coin with a value of 1 ryō, similar to the Tenshō Ōban. Its origins are uncertain: one theory claims it was minted by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1582, after his move to Suruga to support Oda Nobunaga; according to the Kin Gin Zuroku, however, the coin dates back to 1595, an idea that contradicts Ieyasu’s direct involvement. Another version attributes the minting to Nakamura Kazuuji, a loyal retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, as a political move against the Tokugawa. It is believed to have been minted in either Suruga or Kyoto. The Kaō, resembling an incomplete “Jō” (乗) character, reflects the style of the Gotō family, suggesting the coin was produced under the supervision of Gotō Chōjō, a trusted artisan of Tokugawa and creator of the Keichō Sasagaki Ōban.
| Coin Name | Suruga Sumigaki Koban Kin |
| Japanese Inscription | 駿河墨書小判金 |
| Historical Period | Tenshō Period (1573–1592 d.C.) |
| Year of Minting | 1582 – 1595 d.c. |
| Chronological Reference | Suruga or Kyoto |
| Minting Location | Probably Suruga or Kyoto |
| Issuing Authority | Possible Tokugawa Ieyasu or Nakamura Kazuuji |
| Function | Political and symbolic use; possible limited use in circulation |
| Material | Gold |
| Shape | Oval |
| Height | 7.7 cm |
| Width | 5 cm |
| Weight | 16.9 g |
| Manufacturing Technique | Manual hammering |
| Obverse Text and Symbols | Engraving of 京目壱両 (Kyōme Ichi Ryō), Kaō, “Suruga,” and Gosan Kiri seal |
| Reverse Text and Symbols | None |
| Calligrapher / Artist: | Probable involvement of Gotō Chōjō |
| Museum References | Currency Museum Bank of Japan ⅡAカマb 11/1 |
| Number of Known Specimens | Very rare; few known specimens |
Sources and Bibliography
The Gold of Tokugawa, Alberto Rolfini 2025
瀧澤武雄, 貨幣 Takizawa Takeo, Kahei Nipponshi sho Hyakka 1999
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