Fuhonsen
富本銭（fuhonsen）
- Series
- Ancient coinage
- Denomination
- —
- Period
- Late 7th century
Updated: 2026-09-02
Specifications (as confirmed)
| Item | Value | Type | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material & excavation (catalog) | 銅・アンチモン合金／飛鳥池遺跡 | Catalog value | [1] |
FACTA late-7th-century cast coin of copper–antimony alloy, excavated in quantity at the Asukaike site (Asuka, Nara) together with unfinished pieces and minting tools — molds, whetstones, crucibles, files (catalog).[1]
FACTThe Nihon Shoki order of 683 — "use copper coins, not silver" — was clarified by the Asukaike excavation: the copper coin is the Fuhonsen and the silver coin the uninscribed silver coin (catalog).[1]
Historical Context
FACTThe catalog itself records two positions — a circulating currency for capital construction, or an amuletic coin (yōshōsen). Which it was remains unsettled.[1]
Visual Identification
FACTA round coin with a square central hole (enkei-hōkō-sen), bearing the inscription "Fuhon."[1]
Varieties & Attribution
INTERPRETATIONVariety or calligraphic classifications are not yet confirmed in the consulted sources.
Manufacturing
FACTA copper–antimony alloy; molds, whetstones, crucibles and files excavated with unfinished pieces at Asukaike document the casting and finishing process.[1]
Authentication Cautions
INTERPRETATIONNearly all known pieces are excavated finds held by public institutions; almost none circulate. Provenance verification comes first for anything offered as a Fuhonsen; no single feature proves authenticity.
Terminology (JA/EN)
FACTYōshōsen — an amuletic coin. The catalog records both the circulation theory and the amulet theory.[1]
Open Items
INTERPRETATIONWhether it is "Japan's oldest coin" depends on its relation to the earlier uninscribed silver coins and on how monetary use is assessed; we avoid declaring the debate closed.[1]
INTERPRETATIONSpecifications not stated here (weight, fineness, mintage, etc.) are not yet confirmed in the sources consulted. They will be added as they are confirmed.
Auction Records
No auction records confirmed for this exact type yet. Prices for the broader category are not shown as this type's prices. Confirmed records will be listed here.
References
- [1]「貨幣博物館 常設展示図録（無文銀銭と富本銭）」（日本銀行金融研究所 貨幣博物館） — https://www.imes.boj.or.jp/cm/collection/tenjizuroku/mod/book/pageindices/index17.html（accessed: 2026-09-02）