Japanese Coins Archive

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.

Tenshō Tsūhō Kin
(天正通宝金)

(Ginza Coins Collection, Tokyo. Reproduction authorized. © All rights reserved.)

The Tenshō Tsūhō Kin represents a significant testament to the economic reforms enacted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Tenshō period (1573–1592). Issued in 1587, these coins were primarily employed as rewards for loyal samurai and daimyō, thereby reinforcing political allegiance and central control. Weighing 5.4 grams and measuring 2.3 cm in diameter, they bore the inscription 天正通宝 (Tenshō Tsūhō) on the obverse, while the reverse remained unmarked, reflecting a sober and functional design. Crafted from gilded copper, their value was more symbolic than commercial. Although also intended for civilian circulation, their usage remained limited due to their high value. These coins formed part of Hideyoshi’s broader initiative to centralize authority and construct a unified economic identity.

Musashi Sumigaki
Koban Kin
(武蔵墨書小判金)

(Ginza Coins Collection, Tokyo. Reproduction authorized. © All rights reserved.)

The Musashi Sumigaki Koban Kin is a gold coin valued at 1 ryō, similar to the Keichō Koban in both size and weight. Its minting is datable to the fourth or fifth year of the Bunroku era (1595–1596), a crucial period during which Tokugawa Ieyasu established his power in Edo and consolidated control over the surrounding provinces. It is plausible that this coin was intended to facilitate trade within the territories under his direct influence. The production is attributed to the Gotō family, a renowned dynasty of artisans specializing in the crafting of precious metals for official purposes. In particular, Gotō Shōzaburō Mitsutsugu, who was sent to Edo by his predecessor Gotō Tokujo in 1595, strengthened the family’s ties with the emerging Tokugawa government. From an iconographic perspective, the obverse of the coin features a central ink inscription reading “1 Ryō” (壱両), accompanied by a kaō (calligraphic signature), the name “Musashi” (武蔵) on the right side, and two Gosan Kiri crests arranged in a fan-like pattern at the top and bottom.

Chikuzen Ichibu Kin
(筑前一分金)

(Ginza Coins Collection, Tokyo. Reproduction authorized. © All rights reserved.)

The Chikuzen Ichibu Kin is a provincial gold coin issued in 1862 in the province of Chikuzen (modern-day Fukuoka), during the final years of the Edo period. Although it lay outside the official monetary system, its rarity and historical context render it a subject of considerable numismatic interest. The obverse features the crest of the Kuroda clan, known as Fuji Domoe (藤巴), alongside the denomination “Ichi Bu” (壹分); the reverse bears the inscription “Chikuzen” (筑前) and an authenticating kaō seal. Weighing between 1.5 and 1.9 grams and containing approximately 20% gold, the coin was likely minted at Fukuoka Castle, utilizing local gold resources. Its issuance, at a time of transition preceding the Meiji Restoration, reflects the Kuroda clan’s effort to reinforce its economic position amidst increasing political instability.

1 Yen Gold Meiji
(一円金明治)

(Ginza Coins Collection, Tokyo. Reproduction authorized. © All rights reserved.)

The 1 yen gold coin was introduced in 1871 during the Meiji era as part of modernization reforms inspired by Western models. Initially minted with larger dimensions, its diameter was reduced in 1872 while maintaining the same weight and fineness, in order to improve practicality and production efficiency. The 1 yen was formally redefined by the 1897 Coinage Law, which established the adoption of the gold standard and guaranteed the gold equivalence of the Japanese currency, strengthening its credibility in international markets. Minted in 900/1000 gold, the coin initially weighed 1.67 grams and measured 13.51 mm, later reduced to 12.15 mm. Its stylistic variations are distinguished by the shape of the character 明 (Mei) and the position of the dot below the Yen character 圓.

Significant Variants of 1871*:

Tomei 止明	Chomei 跳明
Full 明 (Mei) character First mintings of 1871	Truncated 明 (Mei) character Last mintings of 1871 continued until 1880
Wider space between the dot and the character 圓 (En) First mintings of 1871	Narrower space between the dot and the character 圓 (En) Last mintings of 1871 continued until 1880