JAPAN - Edo Period (Shogunate), ND (1820-1837) Bunsei 文政 Mameita Gin (“Bean Money”), about VF

This Mameita Gin (Bean Money) was struck at the Edo Silver Mint (the namesake of Tokyo's famous Ginza district) during the Bunsei Era (1818–1830). Unlike standard round coins, these "beans" were used by weight to settle large commercial transactions or were added to silver bars (Chōgin) to reach a precise mass on a merchant’s scale.

The "Meguri-Bun" variety is a direct window into the financial crises of the Tokugawa Shogunate. To fund government debt, the mint performed a series of rapid debasements, lowering silver content while applying the small 文 (Bun) "hallmark" to certify its value. This specific specimen represents a rare "heavy-weight" survivor, weighing 13.7 grams, and maintains a remarkably high silver purity of 33% for the period—nearly double the purity of later, more desperate issues.

Obv: Hō 宝 (“Treasure”) surrounded by the era marks Bun 文

Rev: Rough blank

Edo Mint
JDNA 09-67 Meguri-Bun めぐり文 variety ; Mitchiner OTV III 3882 ; KM C8b.2 var
33% Silver, 67% Copper, 13.7 grams