Hakodate (1858) 6.3 momme

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Stack's Bowers 2026 NYINC sale, lot 43226
SB126-43226r.jpg

This specimen was lot 43226 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $192,000. The catalog description[1] noted,

"Incredible First Dollar-Size Coin of Japan, Japan - Russia. Hokkaido. Hakodate. 6.3 Momme, ND (ca. 1858). PCGS VF-30. Individual Japanese numeral countermarks "三六" (3-6) in a vertical line. Applied to the obverse of a 1764-MMA EI Moscow Mint Ruble of Catherine II "The Great" (KM-C67.1a). Incredibly rare with few known dollar-size hosts for this series. To our knowledge this is the earliest dated host and for all intents and purposes is probably UNIQUE. This historically significant short-lived issue displays rich mottled gray patina with moderate even wear creating a wholesome looking piece. The stamps are deeply impressed and clear on a modestly handled and charming host. Close inspection reveals a minor lamination in the obverse field mentioned for accuracy. Also noticed is the addition of an ink character "孔" (Hole/Cavity) below the denomination stamps, though the reason or meaning are unclear. The potential meaning could be the surname of an individual, but this is speculative at best. At any rate, a highly important mid-19th Century Japanese issue that is destined for an advanced collection.

The issues from the port of Hakodate were short-lived, as they proved to be impractical and inefficient. Each piece was weighed and stamped with the corresponding numbers that, when calculated by 3.75 (Momme), were more than 99% accurate to the weight of the coin at time of striking. This is in accordance with Article V of the Harris Treaty of Amity and Commerce signed at Edo on 29 July 1858. The article states that "...Americans and Japanese may freely use foreign coin in making payments to each other" and that "...all foreign coins shall be current in Japan, and pass for its corresponding weight of Japanese coin of the same description."

The known host coins for this issue are Russian: 20 Kopeks, 25 Kopeks, and Ruble; American: Seated Liberty Half Dollars; French: 5 Francs; Mexican: Republican 8 Reales. The Russian 20 and 25 Kopeks appear to be the most "common" from this series, with about 6 known of the 20 Kopeks and about 7 of the 25 Kopecks, followed by the American Seated Liberty Half Dollars, with about 7 known; all other denominations should be considered extremely rare to unique. From the Edgar Murphy Collection."

Hakodate is a city on the southern tip of the island of Hokkaido which long served as a Japanese outpost in an Ainu-dominated region. It was not until the Meiji era that the government made a systematic attempt to conquer the whole island, using many of the same tactics that the US government had used against the Amerindians in the nineteenth century.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: host coin 24 g, 0.750 fine silver.

Catalog reference: KM-Unlisted; JNDA-Unlisted; JC-Unlisted.

Sources:

  • Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
  • The Catalog of Japanese Coins and Banknotes, Tokyo: JNDA (Japanese Numismatic Dealers Assn.), 2014.
  • [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2026 NYINC Showcase Auction, Ancient and World Coins, featuring the Kazmier Wysocki Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.

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