I'm out of my area with World coins. Japan? Wondering the date and what it would actually buy in it's day.
PD13, Krause is the world coin catalog and has identification numbers for reference. This one is reference under Japan as C7. Jim
By the time it was issued it actually was a fairly low denomination, the 1 mon coins had largely gone by then. By the metal weight, compared to the 1, 4, and 10 mon the weight on this coin was low, reflecting something of a token value. It's value by then would have been the equivalent of a quarter or so in our today money. Japanese coins from this era are most fascinating and surprisingly overlooked by a lot of collectors. There are many varieties of silver and gold coins in rectangular shapes that have a broad spectrum of values, usually very affordable.
You are right about that. I don't see many around. Really hard to find the gold one's. I have a couple of the silver rectangular. I'll post a pic this weekend.
Clark Smith has them on his Coinvault.com site from time to time. He has a decent selection of Japanese coins.
Actually, the 100-mon coin was originally equal to 1/40 of a ryo, which was a huge sum of money in shogunate Japan-- it is said that one ryo was the equivalent of 100,000 yen, or $1000, today. So instead of being only worth 25 cents in its early days, it would be more like $25.00-- at least, before the arrival of Commodore Perry and the opening of Japan. The value may well have dropped after it became clear to the Japanese that Western traders would much rather receive, for example, 2-shu-kin coins (or rather, mini-ingots), which contained some gold (about a half gram), rather than the equivalent amount in 100-mon copper coins (five 100-mon coins were equal to one 2-shu-kin coin).
If I had gone to Japan, I would have wanted my payments in Oban only. I see them come up for auction every once in awhile, but the prices are fairly significant for them - considering that in my opinion Japanese coins are kind of overlooked by collectors to some extent.
I have little knowledge about these coins, but they are part of my world coin collection. They are fascinating pieces.
This kind of thinking could explain why there was as surge in Oban production in 1860-62. According to my Japanese guidebook, 17,097 Oban were produced during those 3 years, a huge increase over the 1,887 pieces that were produced in total from 1837 to 1860.
The coin (or mini-ingot) at the top appears to be a Shin-Nanryo 2-Shu-Gin (silver) produced in 1824-30. Over 60 million pieces were produced during that time, but it still commands a hefty price even in lower grades (F) in Japan. I often see the bottom coin sold in lots of 10 for $350 or so at Japanese coin shows.
I would like to ask about Oban coin. Currently, I am writing a short article about it. Have looked at the Krause 17-20 century catalogues and found some information. Googled, but the anime "Oban star race" spoils all results. What was the original size of this coin before 19th century? Krause mentions only "picture is resized" type information. Also, I found Koban was 4 bu worth. Thus, Oban should be of 40 bu value?:headbang: Sorry for n00bish questions - Oriental numismatic is a hard one for me, I am more into Lithuanian and European coins.
