Japan 1878 (M11) yen
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This specimen was lot 35705 in Heritage sale 3038 (Dallas, January 2015), where it sold for $1,116.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Meiji Yen Year 11 (1878) MS61 NGC. A seldom offered early date. With ambered gold toning and most impressive." 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."
Recorded mintage: 856,378.
Specification: 26.96 g, 0.900 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW, 38.1 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM YA25.2.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3038, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.
Link to:
- 1875 yen
- 1879 yen
- Coins and currency dated 1878
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