View source for Japan (1695-1710) koban

[[Image:SB126-43212o.jpg|300px|thumb|Stack's Bowers 2026 NYINC sale, lot 43212]]
[[Image:SB126-43212r.jpg|300px|thumb]]

This specimen was lot 43212 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $18,000. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, "Charming Early Genroku Koban, [[Japan|JAPAN]]. Koban (Ryo), ND (1695-1710). Genroku Era. PCGS Genuine--Chopmark, AU Details. Variety with long leg on era stamp "元" (Gen). This nicely preserved and wholesome looking example displays a pale gold coloration with light sunset hues in the protected areas and near the edges. The stamps are strong with luster and bold features, though several are somewhat uneven with areas of weakness. The reverse does exhibit numerous small chopmarks, a common occurrence for this series, but are not overly distracting. Despite its shortcomings a lovely example of this early type offering a pleasing appearance with good eye appeal. Accompanied by JNDA certificate # 37929." 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, "Genroku (元禄) was a Japanese era name (年号, nengō; "year name") after Jōkyō and before Hōei. The Genroku period spanned the years from September 1688 to March 1704. The reigning emperor was Emperor Higashiyama (東山天皇)....the shogunate debased the quality of coins as a strategy for financing the appearance of continuing Genroku affluence."

''Recorded mintage:'' 13,936,000.

''Specification:'' 17.81 g, 0.564 fine gold, this specimen 18.0 g. 

''Catalog reference:'' Fr-10; JNDA-09-14; JC-03-3. 

''[[Bibliography|Sources:]]''
* 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.
* Michael, Thomas, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed.,'' Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
* ''The Catalog of Japanese Coins and Banknotes,'' Tokyo: JNDA (Japanese Numismatic Dealers Assn.), 2014.
* <sup>[1]</sup>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 (1601-95) koban]], Keicho era
* [[Japan (1710-14) koban]], Shotoku era
* [[Coins and currency dated 1695]]

[[Category:Selections from the Stack's Bowers 2026 NYINC sale]]