Vol. 1 No. 12 (June 1979) This 12th issue leads with the history of Straits settlement coins as well as the story behind the Oriental Bank Corporation Note. There is an interesting look at counterfoils and more on Japanese rare coins. There is also a note that the Macau commemorative coins had been completely sold out. A side note related to the devaluation of Korean coins may also have had a significant impact on the price of Korean coins for foreign investors and collectors. New gold coins were to be  issued for Hong Kong ($1000 coin), which would be the 6th gold coin issued but the 5th in the animal series.

Vol. 1 No. 11 (May 1979) The sale of two rare banknotes at the Tokyo-Oi Numismatic Organization's auction as well as some other hard to come by coinage makes the front page of this issue of the FEJ. The release of new gold coin sets from China and information on super rare Japanese coinage makes this issue a good read for collectors as well. An old workshop, possibly belonging to a counterfeiter for coins during the Nara period was unearthed during construction for a new post office. History with regards propaganda forgeries on the Ten Yen during the war which sought to cause dissent among the populace at the time is detailed in this issue as well.

Vol. 1 No. 8 (February 1979) The eight issue leads with a warning concerning counterfeit JM victory leaflets. There is information on the release of the Macao 25th Grand Prix Anniversary coin sets (100 and 500 patacas). There is information on the Akita Tsubasen coins (3 major collectible varieties) and how to tell them apart. The  “Exonumia – Japanese Mint Medals” series continues with an interesting article on a fundo medal minted from 1601 to 1867. The Oikosenkai Auction results of 26th February 1979 gives some insight in to what was selling on the local auctions at the time.

Vol. 1 No. 8 (February 1979) The eight issue leads with a warning concerning counterfeit JM victory leaflets. There is information on the release of the Macao 25th Grand Prix Anniversary coin sets (100 and 500 patacas). There is information on the Akita Tsubasen coins (3 major collectible varieties) and how to tell them apart. The  “Exonumia – Japanese Mint Medals” series continues with an interesting article on a fundo medal minted from 1601 to 1867. The Oikosenkai Auction results of 26th February 1979 gives some insight in to what was selling on the local auctions at the time.

Vol. 1 No. 8 (February 1979) The eight issue leads with a warning concerning counterfeit JM victory leaflets. There is information on the release of the Macao 25th Grand Prix Anniversary coin sets (100 and 500 patacas). There is information on the Akita Tsubasen coins (3 major collectible varieties) and how to tell them apart. The  “Exonumia – Japanese Mint Medals” series continues with an interesting article on a fundo medal minted from 1601 to 1867. The Oikosenkai Auction results of 26th February 1979 gives some insight in to what was selling on the local auctions at the time.

 Vol. 1 No. 6 (December 1978) Issue six tells a traditional tale about the New Year, soba and its link to gold and silver. This issue contains the 5th installment of “Exonumia – Japanese Mint Medals” as well as an exciting discovery of bullet coins in Thailand (4-baht and 2-baht silver coins).There is a detailed article on the history and origin of Japanese coinage as well as some facts on some of the rarer coins. The Tokyo coin auction results are a highlight of this issue as well as the visit of a visit to Japan by Deng Xiaoping, the vice-premier of China at the time.

 Vol. 1 No. 6 (December 1978) Issue six tells a traditional tale about the New Year, soba and its link to gold and silver. This issue contains the 5th installment of “Exonumia – Japanese Mint Medals” as well as an exciting discovery of bullet coins in Thailand (4-baht and 2-baht silver coins).There is a detailed article on the history and origin of Japanese coinage as well as some facts on some of the rarer coins. The Tokyo coin auction results are a highlight of this issue as well as the visit of a visit to Japan by Deng Xiaoping, the vice-premier of China at the time.

Vol. 1 No. 5 (November 1978) The fifth issue leads with news of the release of Michael Cummings' book “Modern Japanese Coinage – second edition” which would occur in December 1978. The issue also exposes the counterfeit Baht which had flooded in to Thailand at the time. The 4th part to the Japanese mint medals series as well as a survey of Chinese Cash starting with the T'ang Dynasty is detailed in this publication. There was also an interesting article on how to spot counterfeit 1000 yen 1964 silver (Type 1) coins. Particularly interesting is the article on the New Republican China Ten Cash minting error coins.

Vol. 1 No. 4 (October 1978) Issue number four leads with the sad passing of Reverend Arthur Coole, a leading Chinese numismatist. There is news on the auction of Chinese coins by Australian auction house, Spink and Son as well as an article on rare coins that to date, no one has proved the existence of. The Atami auction of 1974 is described in detail as well as some interesting information on the Homma medal. The market reflections page gives a clear indication of the prices of various coins which could be of interest to coin collectors of today.

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 probably 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