Help with Japanese bean coins

biosolar

While at a local flea market today, a gentleman stopped at the table and asked if I knew anything about Japanese bean coins. I did not and told him so, but said I would see what I
could find out about them (he had 7 of them). I have seen pictures of them but never in hand.
His are all about the size of a large pea to that of a large bean.
Their weight goes from 3.8 grams to 20.5 grams.
They all have like a chop mark on 1 side and an emblem on the other side.
Finally they are all rounded like a bean or pebble.

If there is somewhere I can look these guys up, where is it?
I can try to take a picture with my phone and send them to you if you are knowledgable about them or can post them here, as I do not know how to post photos here.

Thanks Nick

TwoKopeiki

Neat topic. I've never heard of the Japanese bean money and did a quick search that turned-up the following:



Chogin and Mameita-gin

Chogin are long oval silver pieces, usually of very debased silver. The earliest known pieces are said to date back to the time of Hideyoshi (late 16th century), but this is open to doubt. Their nominal weight was 43 momme, but owing to the crude way in which they were made, they frequently did not weigh as much as this. To make up fthe deficiency, smaller pieces of silver of various weights were used in conjunction with them. These are known as Mameita-gin (Bean Money) because of their rounded shape. They uusally bear an image of Daikoku, the God of Wealth. Although originally based on presentation pieces, they could be guaranteed for circulation at the government exchange bureaus and wrapped up and stamped with their weight. Mameita can have a stamp on just one side (katamen) or both sides (ryomen).



In the Keicho era, 50 momme worth of these coins was the equivalent of one koban.



With a link to a Japanese Wiki article found at: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/...1%86%E6%9D%BF%E9%8A%80

MrBreeze

If you look in the Standard Catalog of World Coins 1801-1900, there is a section on "Gin," which is what you seem to have. It is at the beginning of the Japan section and generally is referred to as bullion. Also, in Hartill's "Early Japanese Coins," pg 119 begins the section on Mameita-Gin. It could also be bullet money, and that is something all together different.

santelia

Try Luke Roberts. I haven't corresponded with him in several years, but he helped me out with some old Japanese charms/fantasy pieces. He's a history professor on the west coast. Here's a link: http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/roberts/index.html

biosolar

Thanks Everyone

The gentleman was in Wed. to pick up the coins and I gave him what information I had (all above except Mr. Luke Roberts) which I will keep for future reference. Not sure what he expected me to find out

in 2 days but oh well.

Again Thank Ya'll. I know I can always count on the board for help.

Nick