Japan (1601-95) koban
This specimen was lot 43211 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $26,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Lovely Mint State Keicho Koban, JAPAN. Koban (Ryo), ND (1601-95). Keicho Era, Early Period. PCGS MS-62. Variety with fine chisel marks and one mint master stamp. Beautifully preserved and very attractive, this decidedly uncirculated example boasts lustrous surfaces with a pale gold coloration complemented by faint sunset hues in the protected areas. The stamps though unevenly applied, as is a common occurrence for these early issues, do offer boldness. An eye catching example of the type with a pleasing appearance and much originality that is sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection it enters. Accompanied by JNDA certificate # 76153." Officially, one koban = one ryo = four bu = 16 shu, but the SCWC notes that the relative value of these predecimal coins varied with market rates. The early kobans of Japan are listed in the SCWC by Friedberg number and don't have KM numbers. Wikipedia comments, "Keichō (慶長) was a Japanese era name (年号, nengō; "year name") after Bunroku and before Genna. This period spanned from October 1596 to July 1615. The reigning emperors were Go-Yōzei-tennō (後陽成天皇) and Go-Mizunoo-tennō (後水尾天皇)."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.73 g, 0.857 fine gold, this specimen 17.83 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-9.1; JNDA-09-13; JC-03-1-1.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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.
Link to:
- Japan (1580-90) mon, Azuchi-Momoyama ei raku tsu ho
- Japan (1695-1710) koban, Genroku Era
- Coins and currency dated 1601