kwan-ei
Quick Summary
The kwan-ei was a copper coin first issued in Japan in 1624. It remained a common currency for over two centuries. Japan's history of coinage began with bronze coins issued in AD 708, influenced by China. For a period, grain and cloth were used as money before imported Chinese coins and local imitations circulated. Japan has also produced gold and silver coins since the 16th century, with gold coins often being large, flat rectangles and silver in the form of stamped bars or lumps. The ei-raku and bun-kyū sen were other copper coins issued in the 19th century.1
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