Japan 1875 (M8) 1 yen
This type, roughly equal to a silver dollar, was struck 1874-87 and is rather scarce compared to later issues of 1886-1912. The last silver yen was struck in 1917. 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." This specimen was lot 24637 in Heritage sale 3030 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $4,993.75. The catalog description[1] noted, "Meiji Yen Year 8 (1875), PCGS Genuine, XF Details (cleaning), a sharply struck example of this very rare date with attractive toning and minimal contact marks. Lightly cleaned long ago."
Recorded mintage: 139,233 (the key date).
Specification: 26.96 g, 0.900 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW, 38.6 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM YA25.2.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- The Catalog of Japanese Coins and Banknotes, Tokyo: JNDA (Japanese Numismatic Dealers Assn.), 2014.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3030, featuring the RLM Collection, the Isaac Rudman Collection, the Hans Cook Collection and the Collection of Donald E. Bently, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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