100 Mon

This is a photograph of a Japanese large 100 Mon coin (Tempo Tsuho).
 
They were minted in large quantities between 1835 and 1870
 
The hole allows the coins to be strung together to make a larger payment.

I was also told by an expert at the British Museum that the shape of the coin is based on a goldfish.
 
Today we went to a local Japanese restaurant for lunch and I asked the staff to translate the writing for me.
 
I translates as
Ryukyu             The old name for Okinawa
Tuka                            Currency
 

Some characters were in a form unknown to the young generation!