RP 174: Catalogue of the Japanese Coin Collection at the British Museum

The British Museum’s collection of Japanese coins is one of the best outside Japan. Many of the coins were originally in the collection of Japan’s renowned numismatist and collector, Kutsuki Masatsuna (1750–1802), and were acquired by the British Museum in the 1880s. At the same time as Kutsuki Masatsuna was building up his collection in the 18th century, European scholars were also visiting Japan, and paying particular attention to coins and botany as they sought to gain knowledge and understanding.

This is the first catalogue of the British Museum’s collection of Japanese coins. Details of each coin are given, along with colour illustrations. Where appropriate, the text is in both English and Japanese.

About the editors: Joe Cribb is Keeper of the Department of Coins and Medals, British Museum, Peter Kornicki is Professor of East Asian Studies, University of Cambridge, Shin’ichi Sakuraki is Professor at Shimonoseki City University, Tim Screech is Professor in the History of Art, School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and Helen Wang is Curator of East Asian Money, British Museum.