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Old Japanese Coins

Japanese coins have a long history and their creation and use has always been tied to the strength of political and military leaders as well as the fluctuating vigor and stability of the Japanese economy.  The first coins were made in Japan by the Imperial government from between AD 708 and 958.  After 958 the Japanese primarily used imported Chinese coins which were standard until the mid 1600's when the government of the Tokugawa Shogun established an official currency in support of the prospering Edo era economy.  The next major change in the Japanese monetary system came soon after the end of the Edo period, when the new government under leadership of the Meiji emperor established the yen as the official currency.  Interestingly, rice was also once used as a form of money in Japan, where a samurai warrior's status might be tied to the number of koku (one koku equals roughly 5 bushels) of rice he received from his lord each year.

Counterfeit coins and paper currency have been made in Japan since ancient times, normally at the order of a regional king or daimyo (literally "big name").  Such coins were often mere copies of standard issue Chinese or (less commonly) Japanese official money, though many included special emblems of the daimyo who made them.  Modern Japanese coins and notes are among the most highly valued and high tech (in terms of anti-counterfeit measures) of the world's currencies.  Please read below to learn about the history and intrigue surrounding one of old Japan's most successful and interesting coins, the 4 Mon Kan'ei.

Profile of an Old Japanese Coin - 4 Mon Kan'ei

After centuries of feudal warfare the country of Japan entered into an unprecedented era of stability and peace after the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu (pictured left) took control in 1600.  As military ruler or Shogun, Ieyasu and his descendants successfully maintained peace in Japan for nearly three centuries, during what is now known as the Japanese Edo era (1600-1868).  Shogun Ieyasu understood that economic prosperity would help to ensure domestic peace, and to this end he established a strict social hierarchy (with the samurai on top of course) and an economic tribute system designed to guarantee the welfare of the out-of-work samurai (no more fighting remember).  Samurai clans were allotted a percentage of the production output of farmers and merchants.  Farmers and merchants were in turn encouraged to work hard and succeed.  The idea being that the samurai could grow fat and contented (and not want to fight each other) through tribute paid by the lower classes.  This plan worked very well and during most of the Edo period the samurai had little need to use their swords, as they were too busy practicing tea and incense ceremonies and attending the latest kabuki theatre.  Things were so good in fact that the Tokugawa Shogunate found it necessary to begin minting coin currency in support of the thriving money economy (until that time, Japanese currency was largely Chinese money imported to Japan in exchange for gold).

One of the most popular and successful coins produced by the Tokugawa government was the 4 mon kan'ei.  The oldest type of this coin (minted 1768-69) are called Meiwa and can usually be identified by the 21 stylized waves on the back of the coin or special character markings.  The next type of 4 mon kan'ei are the Bunsei coins which were minted between 1818 and 1829.  Bunsei coins and all 4 mon kan'ei minted after 1768 (including 1769 Meiwa) have only 11 waves on the back.  Bunsei coins also tend to appear more reddish than Meiwa coins due to a higher content of metals other than copper.

The last years of the Edo period were marked by social turmoil and economic difficulty.  Many samurai clans were struggling financially as was the shogun's central government.  In a last effort to restore economic vitality the shogun authorized what would be the final minting of official 4 mon Kan'ei.  These coins, called Ansei, were minted between 1854 and 1859 and are characterized by their yellow brassy appearance and rough finish.  A common characteristic of Ansei coins are chisel marks which are often visible on the smooth parts of the coin.  Like Bunsei coins, Ansei 4 mon kan'ei include only 11 waves on the back of the coin.  In 1866 - only two years before his fall from power - Tokugawa Yoshinobu (the last Shogun) granted permission to many leading samurai clans to mint their own currency.  This in an effort to boost the failing economy and to maintain loyalty.  Most clans simply minted copies of the official currency including the 4 mon Kan'ei.  Many such coins can be identified by distinguishing clan marks on the coins.  Such coins represent unique variations on the official 4 mon kan'ei design and serve as interesting historical evidence of the Shogun's last ditch efforts to retain favor with the ruling class during the final years of his family's reign.  Sadly, many such coins were made of low quality iron which did not accept delicate casting designs well and are susceptible to rust and wear.  The current condition of these coins is therefore often poor.  Kan'ei coins were used in Japan until the end of the Edo period when in 1868 the last Shogun relinquished power to the Meiji emperor.  One of the many changes implemented by the Imperial government was the passage of the "New Currency Act" which established the yen as the official Japanese monetary unit.

Research on Japanese Coins:
http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/roberts/coins/Japancash.html

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Last modified: 03/17/07