# Record-Breaking Kocho Oban Sells for 52.8 Million Yen at Auction
On January 22, 2026, a specimen in exceptional condition of a Kocho oban was auctioned for 52.8 million yen (including buyer's premium) at a regular sale held by Japan Coin Auction. This marks the highest price ever achieved for a Kocho oban.
The Kocho oban that sold at this auction is an exceptional specimen with crisp ink inscriptions and countermarks, while maintaining excellent luster on its gold surface. The pre-sale estimate had been set at 30 to 40 million yen, but intense bidding competition among multiple domestic and international collectors resulted in a price significantly exceeding expectations.
This result reflects the overall vitality of the Japanese antique coin market in recent years. In particular, Edo period gold coins have seen rising international appreciation from both rarity and historical significance perspectives, with the entry of overseas collectors driving the price increases.
Market participants have evaluated the sale, stating that "the Kocho oban is a symbolic piece in Japanese monetary history, and this auction price demonstrates the maturity of the market." There is a growing consensus that high-value auctions are likely to continue in the future.