Ichibugin

A silver Ichibugin.

The Ichibugin (一分銀) (aka: "bu" (分) for short) was a monetary unit of Japan towards the end of the Edo period. During their time in circulation each coin was worth 1⁄4 of a gold Ryō, and could also be exchanged four silver or gold shu coins. The medium of exchange was later expanded to allow 3 Ichibugin for a United States or Mexican Silver Dollar. While no coins worth "3 bu" were ever produced by the shogunate, the corresponding coins were countermarked as such.

History


Specifications

Image Minted Mass Material
1837 – 1854
2.3 Momme
(8.62g)
 98.86% silver, 0.93% miscellaneous, 0.21% gold
1859 – 1868
2.3 Momme
(8.62g)
 89.36% silver, 10.57% miscellaneous, 0.07% gold
1868 – 1869
2.3 Momme
(8.62g)
 80.66% silver, 19.25% miscellaneous, 0.09% gold

Circulation figures

Denomination Era Namesake Japanese dates Gregorian dates Mintage
1 Bu
天保八 – 安政元
1837 – 1854
78,916,556
1 Bu
安政六 – 明治元
1859 – 1868
11,398,600
1 Bu
万延元 – 慶応二
1860 – 1867
Unknown
1 Bu
明治元 – 明治二
1868 – 1869
4,267,332

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Edo coinage is named after their era of origin regardless of how many eras their actual mintage spans.
  2. 1 2 These years are for reference only as the given coins may not be dated
  3. ↑ These are similar to gold coins made during the Kyōhō era (1716–1736). They all feature no dating mark and weigh over 4 grams.

References

  1. ↑ Michael Smitka (1998). The Japanese Economy in the Tokugawa Era, 1600–1868. Routledge. p. 242.
  2. ↑ "Japan 3 Bu KM# 101.2 (1825-58)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Japan Bu C# 16 (1837-54)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "Japan Bu C# 16a (1859-68)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Japan Bu C# 20c (1860-67)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Japan Bu C# 16b (1868-69)". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved 14 January 2026.