Tenshô-hishi-ôban

• Minted: 1588
• Japanese: 天正菱大判 (Tenshou hishi ooban)

The Tenshô hishi ôban is a type of coin minted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi beginning in 1588 (the 16th year of Tenshô). Its nominal face value is ten ryô. These coins were not made for general circulation, but rather were produced to be given as gifts from Hideyoshi to his loyal generals and others.

One example, today in the collection of the National Mint of Japan, is five sun seven rin (15.36cm) in length and three sun three fu (10cm) in width. It is reported to be 73.94% pure gold, and to weigh 44 monme, four bu, one rin.

The Bank of Japan, among other institutions, also possess examples. Most are believed to have been minted under the oversight of Gotô Tokujô, whose family had been working with gold for centuries; the Gotô would go on to become the chief family overseeing minting, and certification of weights & measures (for currency), through the end of the Edo period.

References

• Kobata Atsushi. "Coinage from the Kamakura Period through the Edo Period." Acta Asiatica 21 (1971). pp98-108.

External Links

• Japan Mint Museum Official Website - Third Floor Exhibits includes picture of a Tenshô hishi ôban.