Far East Journal Volume 2
Learning from the past . . .
Looking back at history and the events that brought us to where we are is a good way to learn and grow. So too in Numismatics, rediscovering past events can enlighten and educate us. Bearing this in mind, I’ve decided to post all 12 issues of the Far East Journal, (FEJ) newsletter over the coming months on this website.
This newsletter was a created in 1978/79 by myself and a few friends who were also involved in Japanese numismatics at the time. The main contributor was feature editor Michael L. Cummings (MLC) who wrote many of the stories and articles. I could not have done this without him. Sadly, Mike passed away in 2007. During his time in Japan Cummings wrote two English editions of a book entitled ‘Modern Japanese Coinage’, the second was published by the FEJ.
Another person I would like to mention by name, who unfortunately is also no longer with us, is Hal Drake who was senior staff writer for Pacific Stars and Stripes at the time. He wrote the article on the destruction of Military Payment Certificates (MPC) in issue No. 9. I, myself had a direct connection to MPC, having used them both in Vietnam and Japan during my time with the military and the Pacific Stars and Stripes newspaper from 1967 to 1978. I often think if only I had known the future collectors/investors market for Military Payment Certificates, I would probablt not be doing what I'm doing now! I hope you enjoy these brief glimpses into the past in relation to Japanese numismatics. --Herb Cook
Vol. 1 No. 2 (August 1978)
The second issue of the FEJ was welcomed by many, with the main criticism being leveled at the cost of the publication, which was justified by the editor. The difference between a coin bearing a hallmark made by the Mint indicating fineness and a coin actually minted by the Japanese Mint is discussed. There is also more insight in to the turbulent monetary conditions experienced in the late Tokugawa era. There is an article relating to the Kure Arsenal Notes which date back to 1910. There is also some information on novelty (sport) coins that were struck using official mint dies plus the second part of the “Exonumia – Japanese Mint Medals” series.