Japanese
Man'en ōban (ten ryo coin), 1860
Gilded copper alloy, with painted characters, 14 cm (5 1/2 in.)
This oval Japanese coin is taller than it is wide. It is made of a copper alloy, which has been gilded. There are horizontal rows of narrow striped impressions across the surface of the coin. There are four identical circular stamps with a floral design, one near the center of each edge of the coin. Extending vertically on the surface of the coin, and over the circular stamp at the top, are Japanese characters painted in black. Toward the bottom of the coin a character appears to have legs, which extend to the left and right of the circular stamp at the bottom.
Little Salon
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.