3-039-223 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Japanese Imperial Mint at Osaka, 1871. Engraving from photographs by the architect, 'Mr. T. Waters, of Jeddo, official engineer to the Japanese Government...the first coining press was started by Lady Parkes, the English Minister's wife, in November, 1871. The building...[is] of a fine blue stone. It is the first stone building of a public character that has been constructed in Japan. The machinery is capable of making from forty to fifty thousand dollars per mint day of six hours. The new Japanese coins, to replace the present square ones, are to be round, with a Japanese device on each side. They are of the following values: Ten dollars, five dollars, and two dollars in gold, with a silver dollar (the same value as the Mexican), and pieces of fifty cents, twenty cents, ten cents, and five cents in silver, besides pieces of one cent, a half cent, and the tenth part of a cent in copper. The building was designed by Mr. Waters, and his design was carried out entirely by native labour. It can hardly be surpassed in workmanship by any building in the East. Such is the opinion of all who have seen it. Our view shows the Master's house to the left, the Mint in the centre, and the Bullion Office on the right'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.