This coin was minted by the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo Period (1603-1868). The coin is made from bronze salvaged from the Great Buddha of Kyoto. This statue was destroyed during the Kanbun earthquake of 1662. The coins produced from this metal were sought after due to their connection to the Buddha and because it was believed that they contained a small amount of gold or silver, traces of the statue’s original gilding.

The obverse of the coin displays the Japanese characters Kan Ei Tsu Ho and the reverse features the character Bun. This character identifies the coin as being one made of metal from the Great Buddha of Kyoto. Each coin has a diameter of about 2.5 centimetres.

These coins were introduced in 1668 and would continue to be produced until 1683. They were minted in the village of Kameido, on the outskirts of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). They are the earliest to be known as ‘New Kanei’ coins, which were issued until 1867. ‘New Kanei’ coins are stylistically different from the earlier ‘Old Kanei’ coins, minted from 1636 to 1668. I have these older coins available for sale on eBay.

Unlike our modern coins, which are struck using dies, these Japanese coins were produced via sand casting. After the coins were cast, they would then be filed down. As a result of this process, the raised areas of the coin are smooth whereas the lower areas still show the texture of the sand that was used to cast the coin. On some coins, you can still see the original file marks. The coin you purchase may differ slightly from the examples in the photographs due to age, wear and casting irregularities.

This coin is a must have for anyone with an interest in Japanese culture and history. 

You are purchasing one coin that was made from metal from the Great Buddha of Kyoto between 1668 and 1683.