File:Japan SB818-21312o.jpg

This specimen was lot 21312 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $19,200. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Rarely Offered Key Date Year 26 5 Yen. JAPAN. 5 Yen, Year 26 (1893). NGC MS-66. KM-Y11a, Fr-47. A VERY RARE date of this late 19th century type (1872-97) that was obviously heavily melted and did not turn up in any quantity in the Japanese Ministry of Finance hoard. Nearly perfect, this example displays a meticulous strike and bold, satiny luster on both sides. One or two tiny toning spots have settled over the obverse and mentioned merely for the sake of completeness. The finest of only two example graded at NGC and PCGS combined. A major opportunity for the specialist."

8.33 g, .900 fine gold, 21.82 mm diameter, m. 260,424. struck 1872-97 in reasonable quantities but nearly all melted.