Japan 1871 (M4) yen

Heritage sale 3064, lot 33389

This specimen was lot 33389 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $432. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Meiji gold 'High Dot' Yen Year 4 (1871) MS64 NGC. High dot variety. The piece possesses an aged and refined appearance, brought about by a faint silvery patina. Highly desirable in this condition, and historical due to its striking during a time where Japan was undergoing a dramatic transition away from its feudal past." The SCWC prices the Low Dot variety at double the price of the High Dot.

Recorded mintage: 1,841,288 (all varieties).

Specification: 1.67 g, 0.900 fine gold, 12 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM-Y9, Fr-49.

Source:

• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
• 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.

Link to:

• 1870 silver yen
• 1870 2 yen
• 1871 5 sen, all varieties
• 1871 20 sen
• 1871 50 sen
• 1871 5 yen
• 1871 10 yen
• 1874 silver yen
• 1874 gold yen
• Coins and currency dated 1871
• return to coins of Japan