Watch List notes:

Hartill, David, Early Japanese Coins, Bedfordshire, England 2011, 162 pages, softcover, this is an up-to-date catalog of pre-Meiji copper, gold and silver coins. As well as official issues, the often decorative provincial issues are covered. A selection of the intriguing Japanese amulets known as E-sen is also included. It replaces Munro and other western works. It is designed to be used both by advanced collectors who have some knowledge of characters, and beginners who will find the layout easy to follow and will quickly gain a knowledge of this coinage. It draws on historical, as well as the latest western and Japanese numismatic sources, and describes the circumstances under which many of the coins were issued and used. Guides to the Japanese language are given, and maps and lists of era names and rulers add to the background information. There is a description of how the coins were made, illustrated from a contemporary document. A Finding Guide is provided for the difficult Kanei Tsuho series, which will enable these coins to be readily attributed from the differences in their calligraphy. A rarity guide, linked to an approximate value, is provided for each coin.

Estimate: 20-25 USD