Tenpō Ichibugin was a silver coin issued in 1837 during the Edo period and occupied an important position in Japan's monetary system of the time.

Background and Institutional Position of Tenpō Ichibugin

Tenpō Ichibugin is a type of silver coin issued in 1837 during the Edo period of Japan. This silver coin was positioned as a part of the monetary system during the Tenpō era. At the time of issuance, Japan required the maintenance of the monetary system and the smooth flow of currency, and Tenpō Ichibugin was considered one of the important silver coins of that period.

According to the Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum, the fineness of Tenpō Ichibugin is rounded to 99%. The detailed weight and fineness as listed by the Mint Museum are pending until the original documents can be directly confirmed. Such standards of fineness were considered one of the factors supporting the credibility of the currency at the time, although there are no direct references to specific policy intents or effects in records from the period.

After Tenpō Ichibugin, Ansei Ichibugin was issued (1859, catalog), and each issuance had different backgrounds. Details of these silver coins can be found on the pages for Ichibugin and Ansei Ichibugin.

The mintage, existing number, and dimensions of Tenpō Ichibugin have no confirmed primary records, and such information is organized in the complete record of Tenpō Ichibugin. This helps to understand the extent of issuance and the number surviving of Tenpō Ichibugin.

Confirmed Specifications of Tenpō Ichibugin and Sources

Tenpō Ichibugin was a silver coin issued in 1837. This fact is recorded in the Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan Financial Research Institute (source: Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan Financial Research Institute). Its fineness is 99% silver, which can be verified in the same catalog (source: Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan Financial Research Institute).

The face value of Tenpō Ichibugin corresponds to 4 pieces of ichibugin equivalent to 1 gold ryō, and this official exchange rate is shown in the Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum (source: Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum - Money Exchange Shops and Exchange Rates of Gold, Silver, and Copper).

Historically, counted silver coins circulated nationally in the early 19th century, and Tenpō Ichibugin was part of this spread as recorded in the "History of Japanese Currency" at the Currency Museum (source: History of Japanese Currency (Bank of Japan Financial Research Institute Currency Museum)). Fiscal policies such as recoinages in the Bunsei (1818–) and Tenpō (1832–) eras are also noted in the same "History of Japanese Currency," within which Tenpō Ichibugin was issued (source: History of Japanese Currency (Bank of Japan Financial Research Institute Currency Museum)).

Further details on Tenpō Ichibugin can be confirmed in the Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Bank of Japan Financial Research Institute's Currency Museum. Those interested in detailed specifications or the system of this coin can refer to these materials.

Identifying Features of Tenpō Ichibugin

Identification of Tenpō Ichibugin relies on its design and inscriptions. According to images of Tenpō Ichibugin (IIA Edo b 24/101) included in the museum's collection catalog "Japanese Coinage Catalog," the coin is rectangular with the inscription "一分銀" (Ichibugin) arranged vertically on the obverse. On the reverse, the characters "定" (jō), "銀座" (ginza), and "常是" (tsunemasa) can be read, and cherry blossom border decorations frame both sides.

Additionally, the fineness of Tenpō Ichibugin is recorded as 99% silver in the "Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum of the Bank of Japan Financial Research Institute."

According to the permanent exhibition catalog of the Currency Museum, Tenpō Ichibugin is a counted silver coin, equating to 4 pieces per 1 gold ryō.

Based on this information, it is possible to identify Tenpō Ichibugin, but verification of authenticity requires matching other features or history. It is crucial to compare these identifying elements with catalog information when confirming an individual piece.

Other identification clues exist, but for detailed classification or varieties, consult Types and Classification Systems of Old Coins.

Relationship Between Tenpō Ichibugin and Ansei Ichibugin

On the other hand, Ansei Ichibugin was issued in 1859, with the catalog listing a fineness of 87%. These two silver coins differ significantly in terms of fineness. Specifically, Tenpō Ichibugin has a higher fineness than Ansei Ichibugin.

According to the Permanent Exhibition Catalog (Opening of Ports and Outflow of Gold Coins), the issuance background of Ansei Ichibugin involves the coinage policy just before the opening of ports. The catalog states that in June 1859, the Shogunate issued Ansei Nishu Gin of 85% fineness but stopped issuance due to protests from Western countries. The same catalog notes that in August 1859, Ansei Ichibugin of 87% fineness was minted from melted Western silver for Western silver exchange purposes. Ansei Ichibugin is thus positioned as an example of currency influenced by international factors.

Tenpō Ichibugin and Ansei Ichibugin are distinguished by differences in fineness and issuance background, but specific identification methods exceed the scope of reference materials covered here. For detailed information on both, refer to the entries on Ichibugin and Ansei Ichibugin.

Thus, Tenpō Ichibugin and Ansei Ichibugin have distinct characteristics in terms of fineness and issuance background, reflecting the monetary policies and international relations of their respective times.

Conclusion of Tenpō Ichibugin

Tenpō Ichibugin, a counted silver coin with a denomination of ichibu, began issuance in 1837 (Tenpō 8). Information regarding this currency is recorded in materials from the Currency Museum. The Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum lists the fineness of Tenpō Ichibugin as 99% (rounded value).

Reference materials for this coin include the Permanent Exhibition Catalog of the Currency Museum, as well as "History of Japanese Currency" and "Catalog of Japanese Coinage," which contain detailed information about Tenpō Ichibugin. However, auction records for Tenpō Ichibugin have not yet been confirmed, and there is no information about individual prices or trading situations.

For those seeking historical market records of Tenpō Ichibugin, check for the presence of records from See Auction History in List. Further understanding of details and historical background of the coin can be gleaned from the page on Tenpō Ichibugin. Continuing market trade information and new research findings are expected to further deepen the understanding of Tenpō Ichibugin.