I just got this today, i have another similar in size, shape, but different designs. Would these be listed in krause currency books?
1 Monme Issued during the Koka era, year 4 (Hinoto-Hitsuji - Western year 1847 The year is located on the second image, in the top design - one character in each corner. These are tough to date. I have a website devoted to these, along with a dating method - - But - - it's still hard to figure them all out. It would really help to speak Japanese. Check out my pages: http://www.banknoteden.com/Japan.html for general Hansatsu info http://www.banknoteden.com/JapanHansatsuDates.html for dating Hansatsu or try really hard, anyway!
Thanks, i have one other i am trying to decipher too, i believe it is also a 1 monme issued by a temple.
I actually know nothing about Japanese currency and have never studied Japanese. I wonder, however, whether the note is really a "1" Monme. A "1 Monme" silver note would be written 银壹匁. Even written in a very cursive style, I do not see how the character "one" (壹) could be written the way it is on this note. Perhaps it is a Monme of a different value? The word "tea" (茶) appears on the note so perhaps it was exchangeable for tea. Again, I am totally ignorant in regard to Japanese currency but perhaps you will find the above observations helpful. Gary
It's possible, Manymore. The thing is, that I have cross referenced from other sites and published works, but not knowing Japanese, or even people who are Japanese who would be able to translate old notes, it is a difficult task to perfect the translations. Some used Different Chinese script, some used traditional script some used printed designs some were hand written, etc. as I said, they are difficult to pin down, and not just in dates, but denominations, places ... well, dang near everything. I do not know Japanese either, and I don't think studying Japanese would be enough to give detailed insight to these notes. I think one needs to have a historic and cultural understanding beyond knowing basic numbering systems used for denominations and dating practices. And yes, these were typically used in exchange for commodities as well, such as a monme of fish, tea, oils, briquettes etc. If anyone has more info, please feel free to add it.
Okay, I'm back from my travels and during my recuperation day I looked at a BUNCH of scans of notes that I am in a sort of collaborative group for creating an online archive of Hansatsu (Very far from being finished- if ever -, so don't hold your breath). I found the note in this scan, which has different overprinting from my own copy. On this note, the contributor specified his copy as being: 2 Silver Monme Green Tea Note Koshu (Shiga Prefecture) Tea Exchange Office Koka Period 1844-1848 The denomination numeral (2) is, as before, up to some scrutiny as it is not like a number 2 I have seen written or printed and verified. This note is good for the amount in tea, or otherwise exchangeable to an accepting party. Many, many notes were of this type, and not just for the amount in specie. As previously stated, the dating is specified as year 4 (Hinoto-Hitsuji) of the Koka period - Western year 1847. Like I said before, dating these is pretty hard, and it can apply to a whole host of other aspects, because they did not adhere to a set design parameter, nor did they all use perfect printing or handwriting. There are some which all look as if they are handwritten, but the notes are common and perfectly the same. One can only guess that they are printed from plates made to look like a handwritten note, but I cannot be sure. There is simply not enough reference material available in the English language to solve all these little mysteries. I especially like this note as it depicts the Shichi Fukujin, or Seven Gods of Fortune, on the top. There is often one or a couple of them, but this note has all seven. But before I go rambling on too long, let me save that for another day/topic.
