also: びん
noun
coin string; slender rope for coins
Historical term for the thin rope passed through the square holes of old Japanese coins to bundle them. Now mostly encountered in historical or numismatic contexts.
See also: 緡縄 (さしなわ)
江戸時代には、銭を緡に通して持ち運んだ。
In the Edo period, people carried coins by threading them onto a string.
noun, counter
string of 100 mon; bundle of coins
Specifically refers to a standard bundle of 100 mon coins strung together. Also used as a counter for such bundles. Historical term.
一緡の銭は百文に相当した。
One string of coins was equivalent to 100 mon.
The kanji 緡 is composed of 糸 (thread) and 昏 (obscure), suggesting a thread used for tying. The reading さし is native Japanese, while びん is a Sino-Japanese reading. The exact derivation is uncertain.