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Ōban 'Tenshō Ōban'
| Issuer | Japan |
|---|---|
| Year | 1573-1609 |
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| Composition | Gold |
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| Obverse description | Oval hammered gold planchet with a finely striated, wave-patterned field produced by hammer finishing. A bold, brushed ink inscription in cursive kanji script runs vertically through the center of the field, reading '拾両後藤徳乗' (Ten Ryō, Gotō Tokujō), denoting the coin's denomination and the certifying signature of the Gotō family assayer. Four small circular floral stamps (paulownia or cherry blossom mon) are applied near the top center, left center, right center, and bottom center of the oval field, serving as official authentication marks. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | 拾 両 後 藤 徳 乗 (Translation: Ten Ryō Gotō Tokujō) |
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| Additional information |
The Tenshō Ōban was not a coin in any conventional monetary sense — it was a political instrument. Toyotomi Hideyoshi commissioned these pieces from the Goto family of gold artisans, distributing them as gifts to daimyo and foreign dignitaries rather than releasing them into trade. Each was hand-finished and individually inscribed by a Goto master, which means no two are identical in their ink markings.
Surviving authenticated examples are exceptionally rare. Most were melted or gifted into foreign hands during the turbulent transition to Tokugawa rule after Sekigahara in 1600.