Japanese Silver Collection, Edo to Meiji Era

This collection includes all three of the most prolific types of silver money used from the late Edo period to early Meiji era in Japan. It includes one of each of the following:

Ichibu-gin: This is the larger of the two rectangular coins, produced by the Tokugawa shogunate at the end of the Edo Period, from 1837 to 1868. Known as "Ichibu-gin," each coin is about 96% pure silver and was stamped with the character "定" by the mint to show its authenticity.

Isshu-gin: This is the smaller of the two rectangular coins, also produced at the end of the Edo Period, from 1853 to 1865. They're known as "Kaei Isshugin" and are also about 96% pure silver.

Mameita-gin: These are small bean-shaped coins made from low purity silver, which also played an essential role in Japan's currency during the Edo Period. Before the rectangular silver coins emerged in 1765, these charming Mameita-gin circulated alongside larger and heavier silver ingots known as Chogin. They were widely used for everyday transactions, making them an accessible and practical form of currency for people at the time. Even after the introduction of more standardized bar-shaped coins, Mameita-gin continued to be made until the mid-1800's.

Tokugawa coinage was introduced in 1601, to stop Japan from relying on Chinese-made bronze coins which were used for centuries earlier. Gold and silver were in short supply on the Japanese islands, which lead Japan to ban the export of bullion currency in the 1700's. In the 1800's, the scarcity of gold and silver as well as natural disasters and high government spending caused coins to become smaller and smaller over time.

Each includes a Certificate of Authenticity.