Japan (1868-69) 2 bu

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from Stack's Bowers June 2022 Collector's Choice sale, lot 71649
SB622-71649r.jpg
Sincona sale 97, lot 1771

The first specimen was lot 71649 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2022), where it sold for $168. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN. 2 Bu, ND (1868-69). Edo Mint. Mutsuhito (Meiji) Era. PCGS AU-58. Barely handled, this piece of gold 'samurai money' radiates with charming brilliance." The second specimen was lot 1771 in SINCONA Auction 97 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 120 CHF (about US$174 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[2] noted,

"JAPAN, Meiji Era. Meiji 2 Bu Ban-Kin (1868-1869), Vorzüglich. (empire of Japan, Meiji era, two bu, circa 1868-69. Extremely Fine.)"

The dating of hammered and cast coinage of Japan is confusing. The SCWC states that the coins were not necessarily made during the era to which they are marked. Not all the eras have coinage. The SCWC notes the following:

  • Genbun period 1736-41 (used on coinage 1736-1818), emperor was Sakuramachi-tennō (桜町天皇).
  • Meiwa period 1764-72, empress and emperor were Go-Sakuramachi-tennō (後桜町天皇) and Go-Momozono-tennō (後桃園天皇).
  • An'ei period 1772-81, emperors were Go-Momozono-tennō (後桃園天皇) and Kōkaku-tennō (光格天皇).
  • Tenmei period 1781-89, emperor was Kōkaku Tennō' (光格天皇).
  • Kansei period 1789-1801, emperor was Kōkaku-tennō (光格天皇).
  • Kyowa period 1801-04, emperor was Kōkaku-tennō (光格天皇).
  • Bunka period 1804-18, emperors were Kōkaku-tennō (光格天皇) and Ninkō-Tennō (仁孝天皇).
  • Bunsei period 1818-30 (used on coinage 1820-37), emperor was Ninkō-tennō (仁孝天皇).
  • Tempo period 1830-44 (used on coinage 1837-58), emperor was Ninko-tennō (仁孝天皇).
  • Koka period 1844-48, emperors were Ninkō-tennō (仁孝天皇) and Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).
  • Kaei period 1848-54 (used on coinage 1853-65), emperor was Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).
  • Ansei period 1854-60 (used on coinage 1859-60), emperor was Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).
  • Man'en period 1860-61, emperor was Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).
  • Bunkyu period 1861-64, emperor was Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).
  • Genji period 1864-65, emperor was Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).
  • Keio period 1865-68, emperors were Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇) and Meiji-tennō (明治天皇).
  • Meiji period 1868-1912, emperor was Meiji-tennō (明治天皇), better known to collectors as Mutsuhito.

Milled coinage of the Western type was introduced early in the Meiji era and the cast and hammered coinage discontinued.

Recorded Mintage: unknown.

Specification: 3 g, gold, the first specimen 3.03 g, the second specimen 2.97 g.

Catalog reference: Fr-22; KM C-21d; JNDA-09-29; JC-03-32.

Source:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2022 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring Selections from the Kings Norton Mint Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
  • [2]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 97: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.

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