4704) A Japanese Tenpō Ichibugin Silver 1 Bu, one of the most distinctive silver issues of the Edo period: Date of Coin issue: 1837-1868 (released into circulation on 13.01.1838):
Long before Japan adopted the yen, its people carried money that looked nothing like a modern coin. This Coin takes us to the final decades of the Tokugawa shogunate with a Japan Tenpō Ichibugin Silver 1 Bu, one of the most distinctive silver issues of the Edo period.
Rectangular, remarkably pure, and steeped in history, the Tenpō Ichibugin circulated as Japan approached one of the greatest economic and political upheavals in its history.
Silver Money in a Troubled Japan:
The Tokugawa shogunate introduced the Tenpō Ichibugin during a difficult era.
Japan had suffered through the Tenpō Famine of the 1830s, while economic pressure and social unrest challenged the government.
The Tenpō Ichibugin entered circulation on January 13, 1838. One bu equaled one-quarter of a ryō, so four Ichibugin represented one ryō.
Unlike the round coins familiar to American collectors, the Ichibugin takes the form of a small rectangular silver bar.
It weighs about 8.66 grams, measures approximately 23 x 16.5 mm, and contains an impressive .991 fine silver.
That purity would soon play an unexpected role in Japan’s collision with the global economy.
Cherry Blossoms and the Ginza Mint:
The Ichibugin’s design gives
collectors plenty to study.
One side carries the characters associated with the Ginza silver mint and the hereditary mint official Jōze, together with the character Jō, which indicated the government guarantee.
The opposite side displays 一分銀, meaning “One Bu Silver.”
Twenty small sakura, or cherry blossoms, frame each side. One blossom appears inverted, creating varieties that specialists can identify by its position.
The Obverse Design:
1 Bu "Tenpō Ichibugin" - obverse
Incuse stamp 定 (= Jō) over 4 kanji in rectangle surrounded by 20 Sakura (cherry blosoms). Either one of the bottom row may be inverted.
Bottom left 2 strokes of 是 crossed.
The Reverse Design:
3 vertical kanji in rectangle surrounded by 20 Sakura (cherry blosoms). Either one of the 9 bottommost may be inverted.
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
The Ginza connection also survives in modern Tokyo. The Tokugawa government established its silver-coin operation in the district in 1612.
Eventually, the name of that government silver office became the name of Ginza, today one of Tokyo’s most famous shopping districts.
When Japan’s Silver Became a Global Opportunity: Then everything changed:
Japan signed commercial treaties with Western powers in 1858, and treaty-port commerce expanded in 1859.
Foreign merchants quickly recognised a huge difference between Japan’s domestic gold-to-silver ratio and the international market.
The Bank of Japan’s Currency Museum illustrates the opportunity clearly: A trader could exchange four foreign silver dollars for 12 Ichibu Gin, trade those for three gold koban, and then exchange the gold abroad for silver worth roughly 12 foreign dollars.
Japan consequently suffered a major outflow of gold.
The shogunate responded with new coinage:
The Ansei Ichibugin, introduced in 1859, contained about 87% silver rather than the Tenpō issue’s .991 fineness.
A Survivor From the Samurai Era:
The Meiji government transformed Japan’s monetary system after the shogunate collapsed.
In 1871, it adopted the yen, sen, and rin and began producing modern Western-style coinage. However, older Edo-period money initially continued to circulate as the new system took hold.
That history gives the Tenpō Ichibugin an appeal far beyond its silver content.
It represents the economic world of the samurai, the Tokugawa shogunate, Japan’s encounter with Western trade, and the monetary crisis that helped close one era and usher in another.
Country of issue: Japan
Period: Tokugawa Shogunate,
Edo Period
Denomination: 1 Bu
Type: Tenpō Ichibugin (Standard circulation coinage)
Issue Period: 1837–1854/68
Currency: Ryō (1595-1874)
Metal Composition: .991 Silver
Weight: Approximately 8.66
grams
Dimensions: Approximately 23.00 mm x 16.50 mm
Shape: Rectangular (irregular)
Value: 1/4 Ryō
Thickness: 2.6 mm
Technique: Hammered, Countermarked
Orientation: Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetised: 31 December 1888
Lettering:
定
常銀
是㘴
Translation:
Guaranteed
Ginza (Silver Mint)
Jōze (Mint Official)
Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)
Lettering:
一
分
銀
Translation: 1 Bu silver
Edge:
Vertical reeding on short
sides with 2-3 incuse stars
slanted reeding on long
sides with 3 incuse stars
Released into circulation: 13 January 1838.
Links to interesting posts on Coins & Banknotes of Japan:
Rajan Trikha has commented:
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DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented: ·
ReplyDelete"Thanks for sharing this informative post."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
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