Early 1800's Japanese Gold Koban

This unusual-looking gold bar is from Japan in the early to mid-1800s. They're called a gold "koban" and they were not necessarily intended to be used in everyday circulation but instead were oftentimes given as gifts to influential and powerful leaders of the country. Each koban is stamped on the front and back with various symbols

Today, the value and condition of a koban is based on the level of wear and the integrity of the detail in the piece. This particular bar has been graded by a Japanese dealer and it comes with the exact book and certification you see in the images. This particular koban weighs about 11 grams of gold and was issued between 1832 and 1858. This is the only one we have available and the koban shown is the exact one you will receive.