JAPAN, pre-modern coins
    The earliest coins of Japan were made in the 8th century and are very rare.  Before, during, and after that they made a large business importing coins from China, occasionally imitating them.  In the 1580s they started a very controlled trading relationship with the Portuguese, confining the barbarians to Nagasaki, licensing a small number of Japanese to do business with them, and making special coins only for use there.  Other special coins were authorized in the 17th century.  Then they got freaked out at the growth of Christianity and shut down the whole operation.  Japan then stayed closed until the Americans pried it open in the 1850s.

JAPAN, Kobu Tsuho, c. 1580, 1 mon, JNDA-1, imitation of China S-1151, Ji top rev., "Bita" or "Kajiki sen," aF $35.00 sold
    "Bita" means "crummy," Kajiki is a village where most of this kind of coin was made.
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Genho Tsuho, 1 mon, JNDA-12v, ND (c. 1580s), Kajiki sen, seal script, VG $12.50 sold 3/25/2010
    JNDA seems to place this with the Kajiki sen.  Others seem to put it with the Nagasaki trade coins.
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Genna Tsuho, 1617, KM10, JNDA-Edo3, F $1200.00 sold 11/20/2007
    I've shown this to a number of knowledgeable people and all agree that it is genuine.
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Genho Tsuho, 1 mon, JNDA-1, ND (1659), Nagasaki trade coin, F $13.00 sold 9/3/2008
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Genho Tsuho, 1 mon, JNDA-1, ND (1659), Nagasaki trade coin, orthodox script, F+ $19.00
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Kayu Tsuho, 1 mon JNDA-4, ND (1659), Nagasaki trade coin, F+ $36.00
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Kinei Genho, 1 mon JNDA-5, ND (1659), Nagasaki trade coin, F $36.00
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Shosei Genho, 1 mon JNDA-7v, ND (1659), Nagasaki trade coin, aF $36.00 sold 11/24/2009
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JAPAN, Kanei Tsuho, 1 mon, C1.1v, Munro p129/47i, ND (1736), Kii province, VF $24.00 sold 6/4/2008
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Kanei Tsuho, 1 mon C-nl, JNDA-50, Jones-96, Edo Fukagawa Jiuman Tsubo (1739), mintmark twice on outer rim obv., VF $160.00 sold
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Hoei Tsuho, 10 mon, C- (1709) F $45.00 sold
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Tempo Tsuho, 100 mon C7 (1835-70) XF $19.00
Click picture for enlargement.
Several in stock.  Expect not to get the pictured one.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Tempo mameita gin, (1830-44), 2.9g, C8.3a, single character, aVF $65.00 sold
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, Tempo mameita gin, (1830-44), 6.5g, C8a.3a, god of plenty with era on belly both sides, XF $250.00 sold
Click picture for enlargement.
 
 
 
 
 

JAPAN, copper e-sen amulet, 24mm, Namo Amida Butsu / no legend, VF $24.00 sold 1/6/2010
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JAPAN, e-sen, tempo tsuho / pair of foxes, F $80.00 sold
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