Hansatsu, Silver 5 Monme, Bishamon - Kyoho 15 (1730) - Edo Japan - 4/12/23 Auction

This hansatsu is one of the rarer ones in the collection as it shows Bishamon, a diety who defends against evil and is guardian of Buddhist values. Hansatsu with a clear portrait of Bishamon are hard to find, and this design is not one of the more common types. During Japan's Edo Period (1603 to 1867 CE), paper hansatsu (藩札) served as a staple currency. They were also called "clan money," and were issued by local feudal rulers to supplement coinage. Hansatsu were redeemable for silver, gold, copper, or even commodity goods like rice.Hansatsu served as an important form of currency in local markets, despite not being officially recognized as legal tender by the government. Still, the use of these paper notes changed significantly over time. During some periods they replaced coinage altogether, while others saw a complete ban on paper scrips due to anti-counterfeiting measures. Japanese scrips remained in print from the early 1600's until 1871, when the newly established Meiji government