Japanese mon

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The was a currency of Japan until 1870. It resembled and was derived from the Chinese wen. Coins denominated in mon were cast in copper or iron and circulated alongside silver and gold ingots denominated in shu, bu and ryo, with 16 shu = 4 bu = 1 ryo. The yen replaced these denominations in 1870. Multiple mon could be strung on a length of string, much like the modern five or fifty yen pieces.

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