Acquisitions from the Kansai Area, Japan

[Operator1997]

This past October, I made a trip to Japan with my family to do four things: see family, visit the temples, enjoy a ryokan, and splurge on good ceramic, Pokemon merch, with the current exchange rate (150 yen to the dollar, it is now 152 yen).

Coins weren't on my radar at the time, aside from the Edo Period Cash coins, the Kanei Tsuho.

But upon doing my shopping in the Kansai area, there are reputable sellers, JNDA certified in the Department Stores around the Osaka Umeda Station. I made some additional purchases at a flea market by Himeji Castle. Aside from a counterfeit One Yen Silver over there, I came back with a lot more pieces than I anticipated.

And with it, my first Gold Coins. 

Left Side: Meiji Nibu(2 Shu), 1868-1869, 3 gr (22% Au), acquired from Abeno Stamp Coin, Daimaru Department Store Floor 11, Umeda-Osaka Station (right under the Pokemon Center)

Right Side: Man'en Nishukin (2 Shu), 1860-1869, 0.75 gr (22% Au), acquired from Himeji Flea Market

They now form an essential slot in my Edo Period pieces, since I also have bought Tenpō Tsuho in my collection earlier this year. I feel the urge to find more pieces when I visit again!

Edited November 5, 2024 by Operator1997

[Theodosius]

Nice! What other coins did you acquire?

Do you have any pictures of the coin stores themselves? 

John

[CPK]

I really like the look of those rectangular Japanese coins. Very nice!

[Operator1997]

37 minutes ago, CPK said:

I really like the look of those rectangular Japanese coins. Very nice!

It's certainly unique. I've been low-key looking at them in Japanese eBay listings so I decided to pull the trigger.

Unfortunately, the smaller one may be a counterfeit (real metal, but not real time) - https://www.reddit.com/r/JapaneseCoins/s/Ll0BP8HVJq. A guy who regularly acquires Oban, Koban, etc. filled me in on this particular variant, because it is a niche coin.

Looks like I'll be more wary on that front.

 

 

[Operator1997]

3 hours ago, Theodosius said:

Nice! What other coins did you acquire?

Do you have any pictures of the coin stores themselves? 

John

Generally, there's been a spike of "No Photography" signs at many vendors and sellers. Japanese etiquette values their privacy and especially when there is a spike in tourist activity.

That being said. When I make my usually trips... I like acquiring my Kanei Tsuho (the basic cash coin) of the Edo Period. They are like wheat pennies for me in the sense that it is fun to accumulate lots of it. I got one at the flea market, another I acquired thru a Gachapon Machine.

I also acquired WWII aluminum yen from the gachapon as well. The little papers labelling it say "make this your lucky pocket piece. Old coins have good Feng shui".

The Genpo Tsuho (元豊通寳) is a Trade Coin specifically used in Nagasaki in the 1600s. 

Edited November 5, 2024 by Operator1997

[John Conduitt]

Yes they are interesting coins. I used to have a 100 mon but this is my only older Japanese coin.

Tenpo Ichibugin, 1837-1854

Silver, 23mm, 8.66g. 3 vertical kanji in rectangle surrounded by 20 Sakura (cherry blossoms). 一 (1) 分 (Bu) 銀 (silver). Incuse stamp 定 (Jo) over 4 kanji in rectangle surrounded by 20 Sakura (cherry blossoms). 定 (Guaranteed) 常銀 (Ginza (Silver Mint)) 是座 (Jōze (Mint Official)), bottom left 2 strokes of 是 crossed (C-16, JNDA-09-50, DHJ-9.80).

[Operator1997]

Apologies for the delays on more of my finds, been busy with work and unpacking and such.

The shop I meant to tell you guys about is a JNDA certified dealer. Sugimoto Ryokodo; they are housed at the Hanshin Department Store (8th floor) in Umeda, Osaka.

I managed to land these set of 2x 50 Sen for 2200 yen ($14.08 each)

Meiji 4 - 1871

Meiji 39 - 1907

I made two sets of trips. One for their selection of early Japanese empire pieces. And another round for their Song Dynasty pieces, of which I normally would buy from Ken Dorney.