This coin was minted by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo Period (1603-1868). The obverse of the coin displays the Japanese characters ‘Kan Ei Tsu Ho’ and the reverse is blank.

These coins were introduced in 1673 and would continue to be minted until 1765. While the minting of these coins ended in 1765, they continued to circulate into the middle years of the reign of Emperor Meiji (1867-1912), decades after the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Each coin has a diameter of about 2.5 centimetres. They are known as ‘New Kanei’ coins to distinguish them from the ‘Old Kanei’ coins that were struck from 1636 to 1668. ‘New Kanei’ coins are stylistically different from the older coins.

Unlike our modern coins, which are struck using dies, these Japanese coins were produced via sand casting. After the coins were cast, they would then be filed down. As a result of this process, the raised areas of the coin are smooth whereas the lower areas still show the texture of the sand that was used to cast the coin. On some coins, you can still see the original file marks. The coin you purchase may differ slightly from the examples in the photographs due to age, wear and casting errors.

This coin is a must have for anyone with an interest in Japanese culture and history.

You are purchasing one ‘New Kanei’ coin that was made between 1673 and 1765 using the traditional sand casting method.