Japan 1871 (M4) 20 sen

Stack's Bowers May 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 72735

This specimen was lot 72735 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $144. The catalog description^[1] noted, "JAPAN. 20 Sen, Year 4 (1871). Osaka Mint. Mutsuhito (Meiji). NGC AU-58. Limitedly circulated and quite attractive, this example displays strong eye appeal and charm." This type was struck 1870-71 only and several varieties exist. For 1871, the SCWC notes a variety with an incomplete stroke in "sen". The subsequent type (KM Y24) placed the value in English ("20 SEN") on the dragon side and placed the value in Chinese characters where the sunburst had been. The weight was slightly increased.

Recorded mintage: unknown but common.

Specification: 5 g, 0.800 fine silver, 24 mm diameter, .128 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM-Y3; JNDA-01-20; JC-09-20.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• The Catalog of Japanese Coins and Banknotes, Tokyo: JNDA (Japanese Numismatic Dealers Assn.), 2014.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• 1870 20 sen
• 1871 5 sen, all varieties
• 1871 50 sen, all varieties
• 1871 gold yen
• 1871 5 yen
• Japan 1871 (M4) 10 yen
• 1873 20 sen
• Coins and currency dated 1871