#33a • 1850s-60s Japanese 1 Bu & 1 Shu Silver Coins

Part of August 2026 Coins & Currency Auction (timed auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $140.00

Status: Sold

Category: Coins

A Japanese 1 Bu rectangular silver coin, officially called Nubu-kin, and more commonly known as "Samurai Money" because they were minted and circulated in feudal Japan during the late Edo and early Meiji periods. The obverse side displays an incuse stamp over four kanji in a rectangle surrounded by twenty sakuras, or cherry blossoms, one inverted, center top. Translation of "Guaranteed, Ginza (Silver Mint), Joze (Mint Official). The reverse displays the three vertical kanji in rectagle surrounded by another twenty sakuras, one inverted upper left side. Also includes a 1 Shu coin with the same kanji on the obverse, but set within a pearl border. Reverse is of the same style with the different face value. These rectangular bars were among the final of this shape as the currency system was entirely overhauled shortly after when Western-style round coins (the modern Yen) were introduced during the Meiji Restoration. Further details on the coin follow below. Variety: 1 Bu Nibu-kin Country: Japan Face Value: 1 Bu Year(s)/Mint Mark(s): 1854-1869 Metal Content: 87.3% Silver or 80.7% Silver, depending on the year Graded: No, condition as photographed Variety: 1 Shu Nibu-kin Country: Japan Face Value: 1 Shu Year(s)/Mint Mark(s): 1854-1869 Metal Content: 96.8% Silver or 88.0% Silver, depending on the year Graded: No, condition as photographed