Was able to pick this up today. Had looked for one for a long while but never pulled the trigger due to price. Found one in my range. 1860-67 Japan Koban. 3.3g
I like it myself, I've never traipsed beyond bronze and silver in Japanese coinage. My problem is that I want one with the original india ink on it from the mint and the original rice paper wrapping that they were sent out in - extremely pricey.
Your new purchase is very pretty! It also brings up a few questions I have about Japanese mints and their procedure in general. The stamps on obverse of the Koban are the value and the mintmaster Mitsutsugi’s signature, both in plain kanji and a more special type of calligraphy like on every other pre-Meiji gold coin. The ones on the reverse are a Kao signature like on the 100 mon, the number nine and 干. My question is thus: what are the additional markings on the reverse?
Yes i imagine so. Auction comparables i saw from 2018 till last Jan for this in AU hit around 1500-2500
I've seen them with the original ink, but never the rice paper. Do you know of an example of one with that?
those are nice I have examples of those as well. I am sorry I am not an expert in these just an admirer so I have no idea what each of the stamps are without guessing.
I saw some examples in an online auction in Japan a few years ago. It was wrapped in the paper then tied with a string and was sealed.
Id love to see that. Sounds cool. There have been some inked Oban recently that have sold for "reasonable" amounts in comparison to some past sales.
Inked are usually Oban, yours looks like a Koban. Price is super reasonable. Usually twice that at least
Nice Manen Koban! I am also after one in Mint State. There are lots of signed Obans, but always very $$$$$.
Don't have any old Chinese coins but I do like them did anyone hear the recent story about how a $35 bowl from a flea market could be a rare Chinese porcelain bowl about ming dynasty worth $500,000!!!incredible sorry if I'm hijacking just sharing an interesting fact.
Very nice! This Bunsei Era koban came to me from World-wide Coins of California back in the mid 90s. Edo Mint 13.1 grams
Hmm, a seven and 左. And of course the cursive 文 mark. Curious! Also, the reverse kao is identical to the one on the 100 mon. It probably is the same person.
Thanks. I am not terribly familiar with pre-Meiji coinage. The koban came up in an auction with three of these coins on offer. I was lucky to be awarded the one I posted.