The issues from the port of Hakodate were a short lived one as they proved to be impractical and inefficient. Each piece was weighed and stamped with the corresponding numbers that when calculated by 3.75 (Momme) were more than 99% accurate to the weight of the coin at time of striking. This is in accordance with Article V of the Harris Treaty of Amity and Commerce sign at Edo 29 July 1858. The article states "Americans and Japanese may freely use foreign coin in making payments to each other" and "All foreign coins shall be current in Japan, and pass for its corresponding weight of Japanese coin of the same description". The known host coins for this issue in Russia: 20 Kopeks, 25 Kopeks, Ruble; USA: Seated Half Dollars; France: 5 Francs; Mexico: Republican 8 Reales. The Russian 20 and 25 Kopeks appear to be the most "common" from this series with about 6 known of each followed by the USA seated half Dollars with about 5 known; all other denominations should be considered extremely rare to unique.
From the Kyle Ponterio Collection.
Estimate: $700.00- $900.00