Kansei, Tenpo, Bunkyu and Keio Eras – Damaged Hansatsu from Owari Domain

This collection features damaged hansatsu (domain-issued paper currency) from Owari Domain, now part of Aichi Prefecture, spanning multiple periods. The notes have sustained significant wear, such as fading, creases, and tears, yet still provide valuable historical insight into the evolution of currency during different eras.

• Silver 1 monme – Kansei 2 (1790): A silver-based note from the Kansei era, used during the late 18th century.
• Copper 5 mon – Tenpo 3 (1832): A copper note issued during the Tenpo era, reflecting the financial challenges faced by the domain in the early 19th century.
• Silver 1 monme – Keio 3 (1867): A silver-backed note issued in the Keio era, showcasing the final years before the Meiji Restoration, a period of significant transition.
• Silver 2 monme – Tenpo 10 (1839): A silver note from the Tenpo era, used during a time of economic instability, often linked to the government’s efforts to stabilize currency.
• Copper 1 mon – Bunkyu 2 (1862): A copper note issued in the Bunkyu era, a brief period that followed the Tenpo era and preceded the upheavals of the Bakumatsu period.

These hansatsu offer a glimpse into the changing economic landscape of Owari Domain over several generations. Despite the damaged condition, they are a rare historical artifact, reflecting the evolving financial systems of Japan during the Edo period and beyond.