I set the bar for my coin collection.

These "coins" were struck in the waning days of the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan.
The Shoguns ruled Japan from 1600 until 1868 when the Mejing restoration occurred that restored the Emperor of Japan to power.
Any help with the translation would be appreciated.


OBVERSE – "Ginza" / "Jouze" ; Ginza is the foundry that makes silver coins; The tokugawa shogunate gave the right to make silver coins to "daikoku jouze"; Cherry blossoms stamped around the edge
REVERSE – "ichibu gin" with the casting date below; Cherry blossoms stamped around the edge
Weight-8.6 grams
Diameter-15 MM X 23 MM
AR Ichibu-Gin


Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, AKA the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate



The Emperor Komei, who was for the most part a figurehead.

 

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Cool piece. I've always wanted one.

 

Thanks.
I'd really like to get a few gold "bars" from the Tokugawa era in the future.

 

Great coins, M.M.
I always like to see the coins that don't follow the accepted shape.

 

Feel free to post your Japanese coins or square shaped coins.

 

What a great post, especially when I just saw "The Last Samurai" on cable this weekend. I got a box full of Japanese cash coins that I have yet to photograph, attribute, and upload which I doubt I will ever come around to . Here are a few of them of the "round" types. I'll post the bars once I finish attributing them...:

Imperial Japan: Keio (1865-1868) AE 50 Mon, Hosogaya Mint (Hartill-7.4; Munro pg. 222, Figure 13T)

Obv: 富国強兵 (Fukoku Ryohei; Enrich the Country and Strengthen the Military)
Rev: Tiger around central hole



According to Munro, this particular coin was cast around 1867 from the bronze cannon that Daimyo Mito (the local feudal lord) had made out of temple bells to repel western barbarians. It was cast to pay the workers at the financially troubled copper coin mint in Mito (present day Ibaraki-ken)

References
Munro, Neil G., Coins of Japan, Box of Curios ,1904



Imperial Japan: Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868) AE 4 mon (Hartill-5.17; JNDA-2)

Obv: 文久永寳 (Bun Kyu ei ho); cast 1863-1868
Rev: 11 waves with broad rim around hole

 

Very nice coins @Quant.Geek.
I wish I could read Japanese so I could I'D the date.

 

Imperial Japan: Emperor Meiji (1868-1869) 2 Bu (KM#C-21d; Hartill-8.32)

Obv: Kiri crests top and bottom, in the center the value; 分 二 (2 bu)
Rev: Characters for the Mint Official and his signature; 光 次 (Mitsutsugu)

 

Samurai / Last of the Shogunate Era:


Japan - Meiji Era
Gold AR Nibu Kin (Two Bu Gold)
Samurai / Shogun
11mm x 19mm, 3.0g
REV: Paulownia / Chrysanthemum
1868-1869 1st Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan
Last of the Samurai
KM-C.21d, JNDA-20A

 

There are no dates on the coin, AFAIK...

 

Imperial Japan: Emperor Meiji (1868-1869) Shu (KM#C-12a)

Obv: An incuse stamp, mint name, and name of the mint official; 定 常銀 是座 (Guaranteed Ginza Joze)
Rev: Value; 一 朱 銀 (1 Shu Gin)

 

and my last bar:

Imperial Japan: Emperor Kōmei (1860-1869) 2 Shu, Man'en Era (KM#C-18a; Hartill-8.51)

Obv: Kiri crests top, in the center the value; ニ 朱 (2 Shu)
Rev: Characters for the Mint Official and his signature; 光 次 (Mitsutsugu)

 

Very Nice @Magnus Maximus . And nice @Quant.Geek ... that looks like you are getting a square peg in a round hole!

I believe that is the Paulownia Tree on the gold versions, which is the fastest growing tree in the world. I imported TONS of that wood into the North America for manufacturing. Light, white, and easy to work with.

 

Cool and interesting posts!!! Love the 'odd' shapes!!!

 

Wish more people would collect these Feudal Japanese coins.
Here is one of mine.



Japan 1837-1858 (Tempo Era)
Gold Koban
weight 11.2g.

 

That coin is a testament to your name, one BIG BAD WOLF! Always wanted these Kobans...

 

Man, I have been tempted many times by these Japanese pieces. I've always staved it off because I have too many collecting areas as it is... Maybe someday, but I love all of your examples!

 

Holy Sh*$!

 

Yeah, our coins are toys in comparison to that bad puppy....

 

I'll add Japanese coins to my list then. As a silver bug, it's good to see Japanese silver coins exist (albeit bar shaped). But it will be a while before I ever get one. My want list is extremely long and I'm going to be slowing down a little from now on.