JAPAN. Japan - Mexico. Ansei Trade Dollar (3 Bu or San Bu), ND (ca. 1859-60). PCGS AU-58. KM-101.4; JNDA-09-57(44A); Jacobs/Vermeule- J101; Bank of Japan Collection-76/77; Dav-272; Early Japanese Coins-Pg. 132, fig. 9.89. Issued between late 1859 until 12 May 1860. Small characters variety. Four Japanese characters "Aratame San Bu Sada" (determined to be 3 Bu worth of silver) individually applied between the rays from 11 to 2 oclock on the obverse of an 1845-ZsOM Mexican Republic 8 Reales from the Zacatecas Mint. Seldom appearing on the market, issues from this mint should be considered <strong>VERY</strong> <strong>RARE</strong> and desirable. For all dates from this mint, we have only five recorded examples and to our knowledge this piece is the earliest known date for the entire series. Most examples from this rare emission are dated between 1857-59 with few known earlier dates and only two dated in the 1840s, an 1845-ZsOM (the present piece) and an 1849-GoPF (TICC 2010; Large Characters variety). The characters are boldly applied with good definition of the strokes on a nicely preserved, but slightly crude struck host displaying lovely rich mottled patina with much remaining luster in the protected areas. This attractive looking example is pleasing to the eye offering much originality and sure to entice the Japanese, Mexican and Trade specialists. <p><em>Mexican "Dollars" were exchangeable for 3 Bu of silver, as in accordance with Article V of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, signed 29 July 1858 and enacted 4 July 1859, as set forth by the Consul-General Townsend Harris. It wasnt until Yokohama opened up for trade in 1859 that silver coins began being countermarked. Though no clear start date is know for these issues, there is a definitive end date of 12 May 1860 when production for these trade coins ceased.</em>
