Japan 1874 (M7) 2 sen
This specimen was lot 1417 in Stephen Album sale 38 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2020), where it sold for $238. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN: Meiji, 1868-1912, AE 2 sen, year 7 (1874), much original red mint luster! PCGS graded MS63 RB, ex Dr. Axel Wahlstedt Collection." The two sen was introduced in 1873 as part of the Meiji coinage reform. Large quantities of this type were minted 1873-77. During 1877, the dragon's scales were modified slightly from square (Y18.1) to v-shaped (Y18.2). Prior to the opening of Japan in the 1850's and 1860's, Japanese coins were a mix of Chinese-style cast copper cash, silver rectangular "bu" and rare, gold "oban."
Recorded mintage: 3,949,758 for years 6-7, a common date.
Specification: 14.30 g, bronze, 31.8 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Y-18.1, JNDA-01-45
- 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]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 38, featuring the Dabestani Collection of Persian Coins, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2020.
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