Japan. Tokugawa Shogunate. Tempo era. Gold Koban-kin.

Japan - Tokugawa Shogunate. Tempo period

Gold Koban - 11g

A lovely and unique coin design used during the end of the Tokugawa period of Japan. The Kobans minted became increasingly debased as the periods went by resulting in the actual gold purity around slight more than half of the coin. Eventually the traditional Koban design were stopped during the Meiji Restoration in favor of the Western design at the end if the 19th century.

Today it is a cultural symbol of wealth. References to it can be seen on Japanese icons such as the Maneki-Neko (beckoning cat) and logos.

Sammlung : Japan