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1 Mon 'Kinenseihō' - Shō En
| Issuer | Ryukyu, Kingdom of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1470-1476 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Mon |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Four Chinese characters arranged in cruciform formation around a central square hole, read clockwise from the top in the traditional manner (top, right, bottom, left). The legend reads 'Kinenseihō' (金圓世寶), meaning 'Golden Round World Treasure.' The characters are rendered in a bold, archaic seal-script style typical of cast East Asian cash coinage, with raised strokes set against a flat field. A plain raised rim encircles the design, and the coin displays a characteristic green patina consistent with aged copper alloy. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Plain and uninscribed reverse, featuring a central square hole flanked by raised inner and outer rims that define a smooth, featureless field. The surface shows an even green verdigris patina consistent with the cast copper fabric of the coin. No legend, symbol, or decorative element is present. |
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| Additional information |
Shō En founded the Second Shō Dynasty in 1469 after overthrowing the First — his chief minister Kanemaru seized power, took the name Shō En, and then retroactively fabricated a genealogical connection to the First Dynasty to legitimize the transition. The Kinenseihō coinage belongs to this politically fraught early reign, making it as much a political instrument as a medium of exchange. Ryukyu at this moment was a thriving maritime entrepôt, conducting trade across Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan simultaneously.
Chinese-style cast copper cash from Ryukyu are scarce survivors; the kingdom relied heavily on imported Chinese coin for daily commerce, and domestic issues were limited in both volume and duration.