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1 Mon 'Kinenseihō' - Shō En
| Issuer | Ryukyu, Kingdom of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1470-1476 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | 26 mm |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | 金 寶 世 圆 (Translation: Golden Round World Treasure) |
| 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.