Year 1863 ‘Edo (江戸)’ Period Antique Japanese Coin Box

A Japanese antique coin box, once used by a merchant at the ‘Iwami (石見)’ Silver Mine in Shimane Prefecture, dates back to 1863, as indicated by the inscription on the back. The text also suggests that this box may have been transported by ship among merchants.

Coin boxes were a rectangular wooden box used for storing gold and silver coins. It has a solid lock mechanism, and is studded with iron on all sides to prevent it from being broken.

The piece has a funnel-shaped mouth and a round hole, so that coins can be poured in from a distance. It was then locked to prevent the coins from being removed freely. It has a small drawer attached to the back cover of the slot, so that the rectangular coins at old times can be put in.

This piece was probably used at a merchant, as there are symbols of the owner on the top plate. One of them can read number FIVE (五) with an upside-down L shape lines, which can be a trademark of the business.

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Dimensions: Hight 18cm, Width 18cm, Depth 40cm

Period: 1863