Start hereDictionarySearch
English
日本語English中文ItalianoFrançaisDeutschEspañol
Sign in Fees and how to study
NOMISMA
Read history Money history: the world and JapanBubbles, frauds and financial crisesPeople who changed moneyReadingsSee all of Read history
Understand how money works Banks and depositsInterest, prices and exchange ratesCash and digital paymentsHistory's lessons for today's decisionsSee all of Understand how money works
Look at coins Browse by photoImages, letters and materialsCare, storage and tradingSee all of Look at coins
Start hereDictionarySearch
Fees and how to study Sign in
Language
日本語English中文ItalianoFrançaisDeutschEspañol

koban

小判　—　Names of money

The oval gold coin of Japan.

Keichō koban (oval gold piece) Keichō koban (oval gold piece)AD 1601 Keichō koban Keichō kobanAD 1601–1695 Genroku koban Genroku kobanAD 1695–1710
A photograph of what this word names.

⚠ It was reminted many times, and its composition changed on each occasion. Even though it was always called a "koban," the amount of gold varied greatly depending on the period. This serves as a good exercise in learning not to be deceived by a consistent name.