The mighty Japanese Oban
abbyme24
Posts: 173 ✭✭✭✭
I wanted to share a recent pickup with you guys: a beautiful Man’en era Oban minted ca. 1861. Oban are pretty rarely seen outside of the Japanese coin community and in my opinion are some of the coolest coins out there. Now, one could argue that they are more display pieces than actual coins, with virtually none of them ever seeing circulation, and I wouldn’t disagree. In fact these were given as gifts to nobility and dignitaries, so not even used as a store of wealth like other high-denomination, rarely circulated coins.
However, they were the pinnacle of Edo period Japanese coinage and thus I think are very deserving of the admiration they receive by collectors. While I think all coins are works of art in their own right, Oban are particularly so in my view. Not only were they hammered and shaped by hand (although this variety is the only one that had machine-made crenellations on the obverse), but they also feature gorgeous ink calligraphy, itself its own form of art in Japanese culture.
This particular example was re-inked, as many were, since even with careful handling the ink would flake off easily due to age. However it doesn’t detract from the beauty and eye appeal - it remains lustrous with little evidence of handling, and the surfaces have a gorgeous burnt-orange tone to them with hints of pinks and pastel blues around the edges.
This color is possible because despite the deep golden hue, this Oban was actually only about 34% gold. Throughout the Edo period, gold coinage was regularly devalued by lowering its purity, but to keep up appearances the mint did a process called “color dressing” or “color washing”. This was a chemical treatment that dissolved the silver from just the surface of the coin, leading it to appear much more gold than it actually is. This treatment was rarely 100% successful, and combined with the high amount of silver in the alloy allowed these and all latter-issue Edo gold coins to develop toning you typically only see on silver coins.
One last really cool thing about this purchase was that it unexpectedly came with some bonuses. A cloth and pouch were included that based on the wear appear to be at the very least contemporary to the 1860’s when this Oban was minted. It’s quite possible that it was part of the original presentation, and is also likely the source of the toning. I have seen quite a few of these for sale at Japanese coin shows and dealer shops, but none had anything like this accompanying them. Additionally there is what looks to be a very early form of a certificate of authentication, but that is just conjecture on my part while I wait for it to be translated.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed learning about Oban and looking at these pictures. While I am far from an expert, I’ll be happy to attempt to answer any questions you may have about them.
Comments
By the way, if anybody is going to be at Whitman in Baltimore in a few weeks, this will be on display at my table.
I think the entire ensemble is spectacular.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Looking at the paper certificate, and calling the right-most downward text line one, I believe some of this can be translated as follows. Line two might read "10,000 shin large gold". Line four could be "the first year of the Man'en era". Line five might be "polished by Josen". Line six might contain the date "July 5, 1917". Line seven might read "Mie Prefecture 2 Shimoshima, Kagama City".
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Wow, spectacular!!
What are the dimensions?
Peace
Thanks for this, may I ask what you used to translate?
I ran it through ChatGPT and got something wildly different
:
“Right side:
Center:
Left side, bottom signature:
The red stamps are likely official seals, confirming the authenticity of the document and certification. This document appears to be a certification or appraisal of a Man’en Oban gold coin, verifying its authenticity and quality.”
I’m waiting on a Japanese friend of mine to translate it and confirm, I’ll update when I hear back.
It is roughly 6in by 3in and weighs about 4 ounces. While large by coin standards it actually is the smallest of all Oban.
I love this Oban, but you already know that:)
From Google Translate:
@lermish I think between the translations from you, @TomB and myself we are getting close. Although I think Army Kitchen is a bit off base
It's difficult for me to make out script written like this, but after seeing the dates on your and Tom's translations I think I see Taisho Year 7, which is 1918 (close to the 1917 that Tom's translation said.) Assuming my translator friend confirms, then I think it is really neat that the certificate of authentication is over 100 years old. Definitely the earliest Japanese CoA I've seen, by far.
I have very limited knowledge of Japanese and, as such, used Google Translate and then took what appeared to be most realistic from it.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Nice. What is the weight on the coin?
Looks like this is the one.
Yep that’s it, almost exactly 4 oz.
With the help of a friend we were actually able to decipher that the date is Showa year 37, which is 1962. So not quite as old but still very neat!
neat thread and cool Oban - so the Oban and pouch are from 1962, or the COA?
The COA is 1962. The Oban was minted in 1861 and the pouch I am unsure of, but definitely seems earlier than 1962.
it's awesome, it's so nice I could have believed it was made later, really outstanding piece, pouch, COA and interesting story, thanks
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
Absolute stunner! I had thought of collecting those at one time.