Japanese Copper Gilt Coin
Kaiki Shoho

N.Jacobs, C.C.Vermeule. Japanese Coinage, N.Y., 1972, Numismatic Review:

During the reign of Emperor Junnin, in the fourth year of Tenpyohoji (760 A.D.) coins were issued in three different metals: gold coins (Kaiki Shoho), silver coins (Taihei Genpo), and copper coin (Mannen Tsuho). The characters on these coins are ascribed to Kibi no Mabi, another well known calligrapher.

The Kaiki Shoho was undoubtedly the first of its kind in the islands and is the oldest surviving Japanese gold coin, there being only one remaining specimen in the collection of the Imperial Household. It was unearthed in the sixth year of Kansei (1794 A.D.) by workmen making repairs on a gateway in the precincts of the Saidaiji Temple of Nara, which was built in the reign of the Empress Shotoku (765 A.D.). This gold coin was kept in the temple as a treasure until the Ninth Year of Meiji (1876) when it was offered to the Emperor Meiji on the occasion of his visit to the temple. Since this time it has remained in the possession of the Imperial family. A small number of exact copies in gold of this coin were made some years ago and are now greatly sought after by collectors.

Kibi no Mabi (693-775 A.D.)
Scholar, author of Chinese prose and poetry, and traditional inventor of Katakana (the first Japanese system of syllabic writing), he went to the court of the T’ang Dynasty in China to study in 716 A.D. After this difficult and eventful trip he came back to Japan and took an active part in the government at home and again, as an ambassador’s aid, in China (754 A.D.).

Once more image of Kaiki Shoho coin received from Ronald Inget (22-Oct-98):

Diameter: 23 mm thickness 3mm Most likely it is latest copy.

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Any additional comments on that coin would be appreciated. You can sent it to Vladimir Belyaev .

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