1 Mon "Kan'eitsūhō" Old type

Features

Issuer	Japan
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1636-1656
Value	1 Mon
Currency	Mon (683-1891)
Composition	Copper
Weight	3 g
Diameter	24 mm
Thickness	1 mm
Shape	Round with a square hole
Technique	Cast
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	Yes
Number	N# 121450
References	C# 1.1 William D. Craig. Coins of the World. Racine, Wisconsin, United States (3 volumes).

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Obverse

Script: Chinese (traditional, regular script)

Lettering:
　寛
寶　通
　永

Translation: Currency of Kan'ei Period.

Reverse

Uniface. Rim and square center raised.

Edge

Plain

Comments

This type are first coin casted for general circulation in 1636 after the currency reform. The value of Kan'eitsūhō was set at par with Bita, which could purchase a sardine (iwashi), a piece mochi, or 1 Gō of salt (about 0.18 litre). The general exchange rate, which was set in 1609 as Gold 1 Ryō = Silver 50 Monme = 4000 Mon (Bita).

However, as the large number of Kan'eitsūhō went into circulation, the value dropped compare to silver. In 1638, 1000 Mon was about 23 Monme of Silver. Next year, 1639, it dropped to 16 Monme. The government did control the situation by stopping production of some Zeniza, and withdrawal some amount from circulation. The price went down to the lowest point of 12 Monme, but in the mid-1650s, the price raised bak to 18 Monme. In 1653 and 1656, more Zeniza were established, resuming producing the coins. Kan'eitsūhō were produced until the end of Edo period despite the Kan'ei era ended in 1645.

Old Kan'eitsūhō coins are produced until 1659. No more official copper coins were produced for circulation until the new type of Kan'eitsūhō begin to be produced and released in 1668.
________

To distinguish from the new type, the old type will have the legs of "寶" connected (look like ス), while the new type will have the legs of "寶" separated.

________

KENNINJI-SEN (see examples for explanations)

← DAIJI 　 | 　 SHŌJI →

TORIGOE-SEN (see examples for explanations)

← KŌKAN 　 | 　 TEIKAN →

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Date	F	VF	XF		Frequency
Undetermined
ND (1636)	$ 2.40	$ 2.40	$ 2.40	坂本銭 Sakamoto-sen; left stoke of 永 point up	35%
ND (1636)				浅草銭; Asakusa-sen	0.5%
ND (1636)				芝銭二草点; SHIBA-SEN NISOUTEN	1.0%
ND (1636)				芝銭二草点手; SHIBA-SEN NISOUTEN-TE	0.3%
ND (1636)				芝銭; Shiba-sen	4%
ND (1636-1656)				不知銭松本太細 FUCHI-SEN MATSUMOTO FUTOHOSO; unknown exact date	0.5%
ND (1637)				仙台銭; Sendai-sen	3%
ND (1637)				吉田銭; Yoshida-sen	3%
ND (1637)				岡山銭; Okayama-sen	1.3%
ND (1637)				松本銭; Matsumoto-sen	1.5%
ND (1637)				松本銭斜寶 MATSUMOTO-SEN SHAHŌ (竹田銭; TAKEDA-SEN)	2%
ND (1637)				水戸銭; Mito-sen	3%
ND (1637)				長門銭; Nagato-sen	0.8%
ND (1637)				高田銭; Takada-sen	1.3%
ND (1653)				建仁寺銭大字; KENNINJI-SEN DAIJI	3%
ND (1653)				建仁寺銭小字; KENNINJI-SEN SHŌJI	0.3%
ND (1656)				沓谷銭; kutsunoya-sen	1.8%
ND (1656)				鳥越銭低寛; TORIGOE-SEN TEIKAN	2%
ND (1656)				鳥越銭高寛; TORIGOE-SEN KŌKAN	6%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Members from this site want to exchange it: GuyConner, mr.ryujino116, Partiota85, yugewansuicesare, robertmx, hyac50, astertius, Jackson KM, amitavpaul, Ancientsandmore, AJL, Regehitsu, Grinya, mpashea

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Numista Rarity index: 21 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Examples of the type

Picture 1 of the example of 1 Mon "Kan'eitsūhō" (Old type)

二草点 Nisōten, 2 dots in cursive script TSŪ and EI

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Corrected to SHIBA-SEN NISŌTEN-TE by @minami_1410

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Special variety was used as amulet and is called Amegoi-sen 雨乞い銭 (coin for asking for rain), therefor farmer made scratches (strokes) on the rim(s) imitating a rain.

Corrected to FUCHI-SEN MATSUMOTO FUTOHOSO *Bosen* by @minami_1410

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Picture 2 of the example of 1 Mon "Kan'eitsūhō" (Old type)

Picture 3 of the example of 1 Mon "Kan'eitsūhō" (Old type)

It is said to be casted at Kenninji, Kyōto, but there is alternative explanation that it was casted at Nagasaki.
1 - less space to the right leg of 寛 (difference from SHŌJI)
2 - ノ topright arm of 永 is long
3 - Legs of 寳足 are tall, beginning at the right
* This coin belongs to @minami_1410

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See all 12 examples

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Katz Auction 169 Lot 2029	20 Sep 2025	Undetermined	AU	USD 12.77 (EUR 11.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 166 Lot 1861	16 Aug 2025	Undetermined	AU	Unsold
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 161 Lot 1772	18 Jun 2025	Undetermined	AU	Unsold
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.