Reading Ancient Japanese Coin Inscriptions

Ancient coin names are visual inscriptions before they are modern catalog labels. Reading requires the correct orientation, recognition of historical character forms, and separation of a documented reading from later catalog habit.

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Issues covered: 12
Writing: Historical Japanese kanji forms
Romanization: Macrons + search aliases
Known conflict: Kaichin / Kaihō

Orientation

The twelve issues normally present four characters around a central square hole. WorldCoinBook records the catalog reading order explicitly; for Wado Kaichin it is top, bottom, right, left. Do not assume a clockwise order from a photograph alone.

Character forms and calligraphy

Clerical, regular, abbreviated, or weakly cast forms can change how a character appears. Compare the whole legend, spacing, strokes, rims, and fabric; one apparently unusual stroke is not an automatic variety or forgery.

Readings and romanization

Canonical display names use macrons for long vowels, while macronless forms remain search aliases. Japanese inscriptions stay in Japanese forms; Simplified Chinese display text does not replace the canonical Japanese name.

Known reading conflict

WorldCoinBook uses Wadō Kaichin for 和同開珎 and retains Wadō Kaihō as a historical alternate. The choice follows Currency Museum treatment and is disclosed rather than silently normalized.

Actual examples

Twelve inscriptions and catalog readings

Seq.	Inscription	Reading	Macronless	Alternate
1	和同開珎	Wadō Kaichin	Wado Kaichin	Wadō Kaihō, Wado Kaiho, Wadō Kaishō
2	萬年通寶	Mannen Tsūhō	Mannen Tsuho	Man'nen Tsūhō, Man'nen Tsuho, Mannen Tsuho
3	神功開寶	Jingū Kaihō	Jingu Kaiho	Jingu Kaiho
4	隆平永寶	Ryūhei Eihō	Ryuhei Eiho	Ryuhei Eiho
5	富壽神寶	Fujū Shinpō	Fuju Shimpo	Fuju Shimpo, Fuju Shinpo
6	承和昌寶	Jōwa Shōhō	Jowa Shoho	Jowa Shoho
7	長年大寶	Chōnen Taihō	Chonen Taiho	Chonen Taiho
8	饒益神寶	Nyōyaku Shinpō	Nyoyaku Shimpo	Nyoyaku Shimpo, Nyoyaku Shinpo
9	貞観永寶	Jōgan Eihō	Jogan Eiho	Jogan Eiho
10	寛平大寶	Kanpyō Taihō	Kanpyo Taiho	Kampyo Taiho, Kanpyo Taiho
11	延喜通寶	Engi Tsūhō	Engi Tsuho	Engi Tsuho
12	乾元大寶	Kengen Taihō	Kengen Taiho	Kengen Taiho

Evidence

Sources and scope

These links support the claims on this page. Source authority does not imply permission to republish source images.

Wado Kaichin Research Catalog and Measurement Guide Currency Museum, Bank of Japan

Wado Kaichin specimen classification, calligraphic distinctions, measurement method, diameter, and weight evidence.

Open source

Wado Kaichin and Ancient Coinage Exhibition Catalogue, Pages 1–5 Currency Museum, Bank of Japan

Mumon Ginsen, Fuhonsen, Wado Kaichin, Mannen Tsuho, Jingu Kaiho, documentary issue dates, circulation policy, and reading evidence.

Open source

Wado Kaichin and Ancient Coinage Exhibition Catalogue, Pages 6–10 Currency Museum, Bank of Japan

Kaiyuan Tongbao as a model, four-character naming conventions, inscription orientation, casting, and wider East Asian context.

Open source

Ancient Coins: Wado Kaichin and the Later Eleven Issues Currency Museum, Bank of Japan

Official museum grouping, specimen catalog, readings, and specimen-level measurements for the twelve court coin types.

Open source