Catalog
| Issuer | Japan |
|---|---|
| Year | 708-720 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Mon |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Cast copper cash-type coin featuring a central square hole framed by a raised square boss. Four Chinese characters are arranged in the four quadrants around the central aperture, read clockwise from the top: 和 (wa), 同 (dō), 開 (kai), 珎 (chin), together forming the coin's name Wadōkaichin. The characters are rendered in a bold, archaic clerical script style, slightly raised in relief against the flat inner field. A plain raised rim encircles the outer edge of the coin. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | 和 珎 同 開 (Translation: Our/Japanese copper + Inaugural Coin (read clockwise)) |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
The Wadōkaichin was Japan's first imperially minted coinage, authorized under Empress Genmei in 708 following the discovery of copper deposits in Musashi Province — the name itself translates roughly as "Japanese Copper Opening Treasure." The court modeled the coins closely on Tang Dynasty cash coins, part of a deliberate policy of administrative Sinicization that also produced the Taihō legal codes just years earlier.
Circulation was largely confined to the capital region. The government attempted to drive adoption by requiring tax payments in coin, with limited success outside the aristocracy.