IS THAT A RARE JAPANESE COIN?

[lupin1950]

I´m not a coins collector.

 

My friend showed me a japanese (?) coin but we don´t know nothing about it.

 

Presumably is a JAPAN coin: Ansei, 1854-1860, AR mameita gin (8.19g), Cr-8a.4a JSDA-09-69, so called 'bean' money, 'God of Plenty' type, issued 1859-1865, as per an auction of Stephen Album Rare Coins (see below):

 

http://www.sarc.auction/JAPAN-Ansei-1854-1860-AR-mameita-gin-8-19g-AU_i25485956

 

That was the only image we found that could be similar to the images we have.

 

But the coin is not centered, so it´s difficult to say if it´s a mameita gin coin and which year it was issued.

 

We know that it´s very difficult to judge only by a photo (the only one we have), but could someone please help us? 

 

Does it is an authentic and rare coin? Which year it was issued? It can be a counterfeit? Could someone please provide an estimated value, if possible?

 

The only specialist that answered us said the coin "seems to be authentic and it´s value could range from US$ 200 to US$ 300". But he doesn´t told us which year it was issued.

 

On the other side if you can guide us to a specialist we will be very glad too.

 

Any help you could provide us will be very welcome.

[Conder101]

Looks like a C-8a.4  It is a Mameita Gin from the  Ansei era. (They don't have a specific date just an era or range of years in which they were issued)  The one in the auction you linked was a higher grade coin and it didn't achieve the opening bid of $275.  My catalog is older but it shows about $125 in VF.  And you probably wouldn't get that much for it because the market here is rather thin.  It would probably do better selling in Japan.

[Star City Homer]

In my limited experience with these (I have only a few) price can be heavily influenced by weight, how well the god of plenty Daikoku or other elements are centered, and how the various elements are arranged--a blank side, Daikoku on one or both side, just a character in addition to overall condition and wear.

The Ansei era (as indicated by the characters on the belly area of the god) ran from roughly 1859-1865, so that is what yours dates to.  In more modern times the eras coincide with the Emperor's reign, but previously they would be declared for a momentous time frame or event.

Here is a current eBay auction*.  The seller references the catalog page, which does show the pricing line for yours.  He is selling the more rare Daikoku/character combo vs. your Daikoku/Daikoku.  Given your smaller sized version, apparent weight etc. I'd guess yours would be a bit on the lower end of the pricing spectrum.

edited to add the dang link!  Forgot on my original post.

*I have no relationship to this auction or seller other than I may have bought something of his at some point.  He's got cool coins and his stuff comes up on my searches frequently.

The one in the Stephen Album link is a nicer example of the Ansei era.  For comparing, here are a couple of mine.  The first shows a much larger flan, and the descriptive tag which might be interesting.  The second is one of my favorites.  Despite a cracked flan, the detail is still so preserved you can see the marks on the bales and the eyes of Daikoku.

 

 

[lupin1950]

Today I received an e-mail from TOKYO INTERNATIONAL COIN CONVENTION, about that coin.

They replied me that, yes it´s a mameita gin, and worth about US$ 200 - US$ 500.