| Description: |
A fascinating type set of 8 feudal Japanese coins, housed in a late 19th century brown
leather presentation case, 8 cm x 16 cm and lined with blue velvet. A label inside reads
"Specimens of Japanese Coinage": * (1819) Bunsei koban, labeled
"Cobang" in the set. 60 mm. x 31 mm., 13.0 gr. Fine or better, lightly worn,
some pinscratches. A rare issue * (1868-69) 2 bu, labeled "Neiboo." 20 mm. x 12
mm., 3.0 gr. VF or better * (1868-69) bu, labeled "Itziboo." Silver. 24 mm. x
15 mm., 8.6 gr. Choice EF or better, some dusky toning * (1868-69) 2 shu. Gold. 12 mm. x 7
mm., 0.8 gr. VF * (1868-69) shu, labeled "Quar. Itziboo." Silver. 15.3 mm. x 10
mm., 1.8 gr. EF or better * 100 mon or tempo tusho, labeled "Tempo." Copper. 50
mm. x 33 mm., 21.1 gr. Choice EF * (1863-68) 4 mon, labeled "Copper cash." 25
mm., 2.9 gr. VF * (1739-1867) 1 mon or kanei tusho, labeled "Iron cash." 27 mm.,
3.3 gr. Fine or so. An exceedingly interesting set. (Total: 8 pieces) ($1,000-2,000)A
collection of Japanese coins was give to President Grant in 1881, now at the Smithsonian
Institution. This set may be from the same period when Japan was opening to the West, as
all but the koban are from the Meiji period, ca. 1868. Historic, very interesting, and the
first such set we have encountered.
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