Japan 1887 Brass and Bronze Military Canteen Token
Offered is a very scarce, 22mm brass token with selective copper plating, struck at Osaka in Meji 20 (1887), and used at 'camp shops' within the Japanese military. Not much is known about these tokens, other than their mint and general usage, with speculation being that Ikegaya was the name of the commander under whose authority these were issued.
Japan spent much of the 1880s building up its armed forces following the internal strife and reforms of the 1870s. This token was issued within the context of tensions relating to the Korean peninsula in the lead up to the first Sino-Japanese War. Much like camp tokens from other places, this piece was struck from a metal not used in circulating coin so as to avoid it entering general circulation.
When encountered, these tokens are generally quite poor, displaying environmental damage, and hard circulation hits. This example, by contrast, retains its selective plating, as well as an exceedingly appealing overall appearance. A choice example which is not to be missed!
Offered is a very scarce, 22mm brass token with selective copper plating, struck at Osaka in Meji 20 (1887), and used at 'camp shops' within the Japanese military. Not much is known about these tokens, other than their mint and general usage, with speculation being that Ikegaya was the name of the commander under whose authority these were issued.
Japan spent much of the 1880s building up its armed forces following the internal strife and reforms of the 1870s. This token was issued within the context of tensions relating to the Korean peninsula in the lead up to the first Sino-Japanese War. Much like camp tokens from other places, this piece was struck from a metal not used in circulating coin so as to avoid it entering general circulation.
When encountered, these tokens are generally quite poor, displaying environmental damage, and hard circulation hits. This example, by contrast, retains its selective plating, as well as an exceedingly appealing overall appearance. A choice example which is not to be missed!
Offered is a very scarce, 22mm brass token with selective copper plating, struck at Osaka in Meji 20 (1887), and used at 'camp shops' within the Japanese military. Not much is known about these tokens, other than their mint and general usage, with speculation being that Ikegaya was the name of the commander under whose authority these were issued.
Japan spent much of the 1880s building up its armed forces following the internal strife and reforms of the 1870s. This token was issued within the context of tensions relating to the Korean peninsula in the lead up to the first Sino-Japanese War. Much like camp tokens from other places, this piece was struck from a metal not used in circulating coin so as to avoid it entering general circulation.
When encountered, these tokens are generally quite poor, displaying environmental damage, and hard circulation hits. This example, by contrast, retains its selective plating, as well as an exceedingly appealing overall appearance. A choice example which is not to be missed!