Ancient Coins
-
Coin: Wadō Kaichin (Kaihō)
Place of excavation unknown, Nara period, 8th centuryJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
September 20, 2023 (Wed) - March 10, 2024 (Sun)Coins known as wado kaichin, which were minted in 708 (Wado 1), represent the first serious effort in Japan to mint coins for circulation. Subsequently, twelve kinds of coins were minted in the Nara (710–794) and Heian (794–1192) periods. However, the minting of coins ceased by the latter half of the 10th century as the use of bronze coins imported from China became prevalent.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Coin: Wadō Kaichin (Kaihō) | Place of excavation unknown | Nara period, 8th century | E-2051 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Gold Coin ("Kaiki Shōhō") | Found in Fushimi, Nara | Nara period, 8th century | E-19576 | ||
| Highlight | Casting Mold Fragments for Wadō Kaichin Coins | Found in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi | Nara period, 8th century | Gift of Mr. Shindo Zuido, E-7599 |