Japanese Wado-Kaichin 0

[MikFab]

Hello,

In 1970 someone that my mother knew that had traveled the far east and spent time in Japan during WWII gave me a handful of Japanese coins. I believe after researching them that one of them could be an original Wado-Kaichin as it matches every image that I could find online.   Does anyone have any information or knowledge about this coin?  

[Jason Abshier]

May I suggest you crop you photo a little better help blow the coin image up in the picture . Also a little lighting would be better on coin help brighten it up … it’s kind of dark to see, someone on here will get back to on Japanese coinage 

[MikFab]

See attached close up pics.

[Zebo]

On 4/21/2023 at 2:16 PM, MikFab said:

See attached close up pics.

Check with Star City Homer here or Stork at PCGS. She may not know, but may know someone that does.

[Henri Charriere]

This is a long shot but it appears your coin bears some resemblance to that of the Japan 1 mon (1688-1700) produced by the Edo Mint [a sample of which is currently being offered for sale in VF condition by Marylandmetalcoins on eBay for $13. + shipping.]

[dccyber]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadōkaichin

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1841914

https://www.money.org/collector/eikyu-tsuho/blog/japanese-12-antique-coins-series-the-first-coin-the-wado-kaichin

Looks like Wadō-kaihō (I think this is the oldest official Japanese coinage), first produced in 708 by order of Empress Genmei.