Japanese Coins
Including Korean coins made in Osaka.
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Coins 1000-1775 British coins
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Coins 1000-1775 British coins
1588 Tensho Hishi Oban
Intro
During the Tensho period, the weakness of the emperors brought absolute power to the regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who set out to unify and pacify Japan.
To develop trade, Hideyoshi needs a gold coin. The very first, in the 16th year of Tensho corresponding to 1588 CE, is the oban defined by a weight of 10 ryo, of the variety Tensho hishi oban.
This coin is a 146 x 85 mm oval plaque weighing 165 grams. It is molded but not struck, and the weight is adjusted by plugs. It has ink inscriptions on both sides. On the obverse, the hallmarks feature the ornamental paulownia tree which is Hideyoshi's heraldic symbol, some inside a hishi lozenge and others inside a circle. The ink inscriptions include the identification of the date and of the Goto family of goldmiths, and the guaranteed weight of 10 ryo.
To develop trade, Hideyoshi needs a gold coin. The very first, in the 16th year of Tensho corresponding to 1588 CE, is the oban defined by a weight of 10 ryo, of the variety Tensho hishi oban.
This coin is a 146 x 85 mm oval plaque weighing 165 grams. It is molded but not struck, and the weight is adjusted by plugs. It has ink inscriptions on both sides. On the obverse, the hallmarks feature the ornamental paulownia tree which is Hideyoshi's heraldic symbol, some inside a hishi lozenge and others inside a circle. The ink inscriptions include the identification of the date and of the Goto family of goldmiths, and the guaranteed weight of 10 ryo.
1
2021 SOLD for $ 1.92M by Stack's Bowers
On April 6, 2021, Stack's Bowers dispersed a highly rare collection of 22 Japanese oval gold coins from the origins until the abolition of the Tokugawa system in the Meiji era. Here is the link to the catalog.
Lot 50021 was a Tensho hishi oban graded MS 60 by PCGS, sold for US $ 1.92M from a lower estimate of $ 700K.
Lot 50021 was a Tensho hishi oban graded MS 60 by PCGS, sold for US $ 1.92M from a lower estimate of $ 700K.
2
2015 SOLD for CHF 1.1M before fees par Hess Divo
A Tensho hishi oban graded Extremely Fine was sold for CHF 1.1M before fees by Hess Divo on May 22, 2015, lot 1226 here linked on Sixbid bidding platform.
1595 Tensho Naga Oban
2021 SOLD for $ 350K by Stack's Bowers
In 1595 the first attempt at mass production, around 10,000 pieces per year for five years, is the variety Tensho naga oban, so named because it is longer, 170 mm. The hishi is replaced by a hexagon. It is worth 10 ryo.
An example authenticated by PCGS with graffiti was sold for US $ 350K from a lower estimate of $ 200K by Stack's Bowers on April 6, 2021, lot 50022.
Hideyoshi's successor, Tokugawa Ieyasu, generalizes this monetary system by adding silver and bronze denominations. The gold coin weighing 1 ryo is the koban. The goryoban will be the 5 ryo coin.
An example authenticated by PCGS with graffiti was sold for US $ 350K from a lower estimate of $ 200K by Stack's Bowers on April 6, 2021, lot 50022.
Hideyoshi's successor, Tokugawa Ieyasu, generalizes this monetary system by adding silver and bronze denominations. The gold coin weighing 1 ryo is the koban. The goryoban will be the 5 ryo coin.
1870 Meiji 3 Pattern Yen
Emperor Meiji brings Japan out of its medieval period. The oval coin inscribed in ink is obsolete. They need, like everywhere else, a circular coin. Yen means round. The first tests, in the second year of the reign, relate to the smallest copper denominations.
Know-how cannot be acquired overnight. At the start of Meiji 3, 1870 CE, Japan commissions the British to prepare prototypes. This operation covers eight denominations : 10, 5 and 2 1/2 yen in gold, yen in silver, and four subdivisions in white metal or copper.
The prototypes are sent to Japan and a British engineer arrives in Osaka. The dies are kept in London, which probably explains why the designs will be changed. All subdivisions of the yen are replaced by multiples of the sen, the decimal value 2 yen replaces the fractional 2 1/2 and the 20 yen is added. In June 1871, the government formalizes the creation of the yen. In the meantime, Japan had bought from a trading house the production line abandoned by the British in Hong Kong in 1868.
These British prototypes are very rare.
Know-how cannot be acquired overnight. At the start of Meiji 3, 1870 CE, Japan commissions the British to prepare prototypes. This operation covers eight denominations : 10, 5 and 2 1/2 yen in gold, yen in silver, and four subdivisions in white metal or copper.
The prototypes are sent to Japan and a British engineer arrives in Osaka. The dies are kept in London, which probably explains why the designs will be changed. All subdivisions of the yen are replaced by multiples of the sen, the decimal value 2 yen replaces the fractional 2 1/2 and the 20 yen is added. In June 1871, the government formalizes the creation of the yen. In the meantime, Japan had bought from a trading house the production line abandoned by the British in Hong Kong in 1868.
These British prototypes are very rare.
1
British Full Set
2021 SOLD for $ 1.56M by Stack's Bowers
There are two complete sets in existence of the eight values struck by Leonard Charles Wyon at the British Mint. One of them was sold for US $ 1.56M from a lower estimate of $ 750K by Stack's Bowers on April 6, 2021, lot 50043. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
All units have been certified by PCGS. The three gold coins are graded 67+, 67 and 67 and the others between 65 and 67. The yen is not in silver but in tin, confirming that it was a demonstration set.
The other full set is kept in Great Britain at the Royal Mint Museum.
All units have been certified by PCGS. The three gold coins are graded 67+, 67 and 67 and the others between 65 and 67. The yen is not in silver but in tin, confirming that it was a demonstration set.
The other full set is kept in Great Britain at the Royal Mint Museum.
The crown jewel of the Pinnacle Collection: the Japanese 1870 Pattern Set. This is one of two complete sets and is estimated at $750,000 to $1,500,000. View Lot 50043's Coins in Motion Highlight Video at https://t.co/Rg19OnsdhO. Bid on the lot here: https://t.co/bdifQaK7Ef pic.twitter.com/PHXjxOtQNx
— Stack's Bowers (@StacksBowers) April 4, 2021
2
Osaka Ten Yen Gold Pattern
2021 SOLD for $ 660K by Stack's Bowers
A 10 yen gold pattern coin from Meiji 3 was sold for US $ 660K from a lower estimate of $ 100K by Stack's Bowers on April 6, 2021, lot 50054. This coin from the Osaka mint is graded Specimen 61 by PCGS.
A pattern silver yen of Meiji 3 was sold for $ 320K by Heritage on September 12, 2011, lot 25234.
A pattern silver yen of Meiji 3 was sold for $ 320K by Heritage on September 12, 2011, lot 25234.
With an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000, this Japanese Gold 10 Yen Pattern from Year 3 (1870), Osaka Mint is graded PCGS SPECIMEN-61. This coin will be part of @stacksbowers April 2021 Hong Kong Auction. Bid on Lot 50054 at https://t.co/BziiHDzkV5. pic.twitter.com/doMRYCNKiw
— Stack's Bowers (@StacksBowers) March 29, 2021
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Osaka Ten Yen Gold Pattern
2022 SOLD for $ 560K by Heritage
A Meiji 3 ten yen gold pattern coin was sold for $ 560K on August 25, 2022 by Heritage, lot 34307.
This coin had been minted in Osaka using presses purchased from the short lived British colonial Hong Kong mint closed in 1868. The reverse does not re-use the British Mint design. It is the finest certified example from the Osaka mint, graded MS66 by NGC.
This coin had been minted in Osaka using presses purchased from the short lived British colonial Hong Kong mint closed in 1868. The reverse does not re-use the British Mint design. It is the finest certified example from the Osaka mint, graded MS66 by NGC.
Finest Known Meiji Pattern 10 Yen Among #Rarities Headed to Heritage Auctions' August World & Ancient #Coins Event.
— Heritage Auctions (@HeritageAuction) August 12, 2022
Cape Coral, Petropolis and Historical Scholar collections also add to auction's significant promise.
□ https://t.co/9fK0I6SPYz#Numismatics pic.twitter.com/fB1T7gudJ5
1877 Meiji 10 Twenty Yen
Intro
The modern Japanese coinage was developed in the third year of Meiji, 1870 CE. After the first prototypes, the highest denomination, 20 yen in gold, is added for diplomatic and prestige uses.
The Meiji 10, 1877 CE, has the lowest mintage, 29 pieces. This very limited production enabled an extreme care in the realization. Only two of them appeared at auction.
The 20 yen Meiji 13 was minted in 103 units. One of them, graded PR 64 Cameo by NGC, was sold for $ 305K by Heritage on January 9, 2017.
The Meiji 10, 1877 CE, has the lowest mintage, 29 pieces. This very limited production enabled an extreme care in the realization. Only two of them appeared at auction.
The 20 yen Meiji 13 was minted in 103 units. One of them, graded PR 64 Cameo by NGC, was sold for $ 305K by Heritage on January 9, 2017.
1
2021 SOLD for $ 840K by Stack's Bowers
A Meiji 10 twenty yen graded MS 64 by PCGS with a cameo effect was sold for US $ 840K from a lower estimate of $ 300K by Stack's Bowers on April 6, 2021, lot 50045.
@stacksbowers is auctioning a Japanese 20 Yen from 1877 Graded as MS-64 Prooflike. Estimates are $300,000 to $600,000. View the Coins in Motion for Lot 50045 at https://t.co/NuQwKS8teb. Bid on this lot here: https://t.co/hWGCkz4W2i. pic.twitter.com/OMJeHbdWwu
— Stack's Bowers (@StacksBowers) March 31, 2021
2
2008 SOLD for JPY 42M, worth US$ 450K at that time, by Ginza Coin
Another Meiji 10 twenty yen was sold on November 22, 2008 by Ginza Coin for JPY 42M worth at that time US $ 450K, lot 974.
1909 Yung Hi 3 - Korean Won Jacobs Collection
Intro
Dr. Norman Jacobs had specialized in the study of Japanese coins, of which the engraving was particularly striking. This study includes the Korean issues, which were produced in Osaka between 1906 and 1909 in our calendar. The short reign of Yung Hi, the last emperor of the Joseon Dynasty, indeed ended with the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910.
The sale of his collection was made by Heritage in 2011. The most significant lots were not available in the market for over half a century.
The sale of his collection was made by Heritage in 2011. The most significant lots were not available in the market for over half a century.
1
Twenty Won
2011 SOLD for $ 630K by Heritage
A set of three Korean pieces of the third year of Yung Hi (1909) was separated. These proof coins (minted before commercial production) in gold have the respective values of 5, 10 and 20 won.
They are in mint condition, graded MS64 byNGC. For each of them, the only other example known os kept at the Bank of Tokyo.
The 20 won coin from the Jacobs collection was sold for $ 630K by Heritage on September 8, 2011, lot 24529.
They are in mint condition, graded MS64 byNGC. For each of them, the only other example known os kept at the Bank of Tokyo.
The 20 won coin from the Jacobs collection was sold for $ 630K by Heritage on September 8, 2011, lot 24529.
