Hi. I just ran across this coin among a bunch I purchased from a dealers bulk coins bin. It appears to have japanese or chinese writing. I believe its probably Japanese, but it doesn't look like any coin from Japan I've ever seen. I'm wondering if its a novelty coin of some sort. If anyone can read it or identify it, I'd be very greatful. Best Regards, Bill
My guess is that it's a Pachinko parlor token. The legend "raakii", or "lucky" is repeated twice on each side.
Not sure about them being used for the pachinko game itself, where small metal balls are the currency, but pachinko parlors also have game machines. Certainly, this kind of token is used in game-centers in Japan. "raaki" = "lucky" Las Vegas style gambling for cash is not legal in Japan, although there are some interesting ways around this.
Unless the system has changed since the last time I played Pachinko in Koriyama, tokens are used to purchase additional balls for the game.
Aha! It's many years since I actually played pachinko but I pass by a couple of parlors regularly in my neighborhood. Sometimes, I find game tokens on the bridge next to the station. Maybe the local parlor puts them there to tempt punters to play. The tokens must be collectible but I've never thought of starting ...
So the manga girls in their skimpy bikinis aren't enough to draw in players? :devil: At any rate, I concur that the token is either from a pachinko parlor or a game center.
