How to Say "Gold Coin" in Japanese

金貨

kinka[kʲĩŋka̠]

The English phrase "gold coin" is translated into Japanese as 金貨 (kinka).

金貨 refers to a coin made of gold that is used as money.

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the kanji 金 (gold) and 貨 (currency/goods).

kinka

In historical Japanese contexts, gold coins were often called koban. These were distinctive for being oval-shaped rather than round, a design meant to prevent them from being clipped.
The word 貨 in 金貨 is also found in 貨物, meaning 'cargo' or 'freight'. This reflects an ancient linguistic link between currency and the physical goods used in trade.
During the Edo period, gold coins were so valuable that they were often used as a store of wealth rather than for daily transactions. Most people used copper or silver coins for shopping.

金貨は思ったよりはるかに価値があった。
The gold coin was much more valuable than was supposed.
This sentence is useful for illustrating how to describe the value of the 金貨.
Tatoeba #179691 by small_snow, translation #18550 by Zifre
ゴールドコインは商品価値が高いです。
Gold coins have a high commodity value.
あの人はゴールドコインを集めています。
That person collects gold coins.
宝箱の中に一枚の金貨があった。
Takarabako no naka ni ichimai no kinka ga atta.
There was one gold coin inside the treasure chest.
古い金貨を集めるのが趣味です。
Furui kinka o atsumeru no ga shumi desu.
My hobby is collecting old gold coins.

Two siblings are looking at a collection of old coins.

陽葵 Himari

陽太、見て。これは金貨だよ。
Yōta, mite. Kore wa kinka dayo.
Yōta, look. This is a gold coin.
陽太 Yota

すごいね！本物の金貨なの？
Sugoi ne! Honmono no kinka nano?
Amazing! Is it a real gold coin?
陽葵 Himari

うん、おじいちゃんからもらったんだよ。
Un, ojiichan kara moratta ndayo.
Yes, I got it from our grandfather.
陽太 Yota

大切に持っておいてね。
Taisetsu ni motte oite ne.
Please keep it safe.

Sources

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