Intermediate Double Hon S Dies
Very few dies have been found on Double Hon pieces, and every B die can also be found on at least one No Hon piece. All known dies are fairly easy to distinguish from one another.
If you're uncertain of the stroke order, detailed graphics breaking down the different parts of the calligraphy can be found on pages 40-43 (6-9 in Japanese) of the full die study.
Populations last updated November, 2025.
DH-S-A1
Commentary
This is the only Double Hon A die that I've been able to find. After scouring auctions, books, institutional collections, and individual dealers' sites, not a single Double Hon piece has turned up that uses a different A die.
Stats
Total Found: 22/22 (100%)
Paired with:
- DH-S-B1 (15/22)
- DH-S-B2 (4/22)
- DH-S-B3 (1/22)
- DH-S-B4 (2/22)
DH-S-A1 Diagnostics
Extra Chip by Left Hon
Balanced Circle in Stroke 10
Right Hon Touching Border
There's an extra chip to the left of the left Hon.
Right Hon Touching Border
Balanced Circle in Stroke 10
Right Hon Touching Border
The top right stroke of the right Hon touches the side border.
Balanced Circle in Stroke 10
Balanced Circle in Stroke 10
Balanced Circle in Stroke 10
Stroke 10 makes almost a perfect circle.
DH-S-B1
Commentary
This is by far the most common B die on Double Hon pieces. It's also been found on three No Hon pieces, one of which is coin-aligned. This die is used on the only known visible Double Hon Gaku overstrike, placing it - and therefore all Double Hon pieces - most likely in Edo.
Stats
Total Found: 15/22 (68%)
Also seen on 3 No Hon pieces, 1 coin-aligned
DH-S-B1 Diagnostics
Doubled Line in Kirimon Frame
Doubled Line in Kirimon Frame
Doubled Line in Kirimon Frame
In the top right corner, the border around the kirimon is doubled.
Kirimon Touching Two Dots
Doubled Line in Kirimon Frame
Doubled Line in Kirimon Frame
On the bottom right, the kirimon touches two dots in the border.
Bottom Left Dots
Doubled Line in Kirimon Frame
Bottom Left Dots
In the bottom left corner, there are three dots going vertically and four going horizontally.
DH-S-B2
Commentary
This die has also been found on one No Hon piece, which is coin-aligned.
Stats
Total Found: 4/22 (18%)
Also seen on 1 No Hon piece, coin-aligned
DH-S-B2 Diagnostics
Thickness of Stroke 1 in Bu
Thickness of Stroke 1 in Bu
Thickness of Stroke 1 in Bu
Stroke 1 in bu starts relatively narrow but is very thick where it meets the border.
Left End of Ichi
Thickness of Stroke 1 in Bu
Thickness of Stroke 1 in Bu
The left end of ichi has a slight upward angle and ends very close to the bottom right corner of the top kirimon frame.
Bottom Left Dots
Thickness of Stroke 1 in Bu
Bottom Left Dots
In the bottom left corner, there are four dots going vertically and three going horizontally.
DH-S-B3
Commentary
This die has been found on one No Hon piece as well.
Stats
Total Found: 1/22 (5%)
Also seen on 1 No Hon piece
DH-S-B3 Diagnostics
Shape of Bu
Ichi Colliding with Dot
Ichi Colliding with Dot
Strokes 3 and 4 of bu are much closer together than other dies, and stroke 2 is longer, ending closer to the center of the coin.
Ichi Colliding with Dot
Ichi Colliding with Dot
Ichi Colliding with Dot
The bottom of ichi collides with a dot in the border, followed by four full dots before the bottom kirimon interrupts the border.
Dot Absorbed by Kirimon
Ichi Colliding with Dot
Dot Absorbed by Kirimon
The buds on the left side of the bottom kirimon touch a dot in the border such that they merge together.
DH-S-B4
Commentary
This die has also been found on two No Hon pieces, and due to multiple progressing die breaks, we can determine the order in which the pieces it's found on were struck. One of the No Hon examples was first, showing only a small die crack in the bottom border, going through the third dot from the left.
The two Double Hon pieces (shown above) were next, showing a larger die crack through this dot.
Finally, the second No Hon piece was struck; the bottom die crack has become larger, and there’s now a large crack through the bottom of 分 as well. This supports the theory that B dies were used on repaired pieces as needed and then returned to use on No Hon pieces.
See page 50 (16 in Japanese) in the full Keicho ichibuban die study for further discussion of this die and images of the No Hon examples.
Stats
Total Found: 2/22 (9%)
Also seen on 2 No Hon pieces
DH-S-B4 Diagnostics
Thick Ichi
Crack in Bottom Left Corner
Bu Surrounding Border Dot
Ichi is both thicker and longer than other B dies, ending very close to the center kirimon stem.
Bu Surrounding Border Dot
Crack in Bottom Left Corner
Bu Surrounding Border Dot
Strokes 3 and 4 of bu end above and below a dot in the border. (Note: A die crack forms in this area on later die states.)
Crack in Bottom Left Corner
Crack in Bottom Left Corner
Crack in Bottom Left Corner
There's a die crack going through a dot in the bottom left corner.