This Isshu Gin pendant carries with it a fragment of Japan’s rich and tumultuous history, minted during a time when the country was still under the rule of the shogunate. The coin, a relic of the Samurai era, is a piece of craftsmanship that speaks of a bygone time when feudal warlords and their loyal samurai dominated the land. This was the final period in Japan’s history when rectangular coinage was used, making this piece not only unique in its shape but also in its place in numismatic history.
Minted during the reign of Emperor Komei (1846-1867), this coin, with its hallmark rectangular design, served as a critical means of currency before the Meiji Restoration forever changed the face of Japan. On the obverse, the denomination "Isshu Gin" indicates its value as one-quarter unit of silver, while the reverse bears the symbols of the Ginza mint. It’s these inscriptions and the coin's distinct counter stamp that guaranteed its purity and weight during its circulation in feudal Japan, linking you directly to the legacy of that era.
Encased in a handcrafted sterling silver setting, this pendant preserves the spirit of the samurai and the significance of a coin that represents the last of its kind in a changing nation. It is a remarkable blend of historic significance and artisanal craftsmanship, a piece of wearable history that bridges the past and the present.
Product Description:
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Coin Type: Hand Milled
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Denomination: Isshu Gin
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Mint: Ginza
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Empire: Japan
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Ruler: Emperor Komei
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Date: 1846-1867
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Metal: Silver
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Weight: 1.9 grams
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Obverse: Denomination "Isshu Gin" or one-quarter unit of silver.
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Reverse: The Japanese characters translate to the mint "Ginza", the silver is stable, and time period. The time period can be identified only to the reign of a specific Emperor. Each coin was weighed and bears a counter stamp indicating that it met inspection.
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Setting: Handcrafted in sterling silver.
Certificate of Authenticity with photo specific images included. Chain sold separately.
Inv# T41286
