Japan 1881 (M14) 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 21457 in Heritage sale 3010 (Boston, August 2010), where it sold for $862.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Meiji 14 (1881) Yen, MS61 PCGS, clockwise spiral, fully lustrous and somewhat prooflike, numerous abrasions on the reverse, particularly at the center. Scarce date and grade."
Recorded mintage: 2,827,409 (a better date).
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]Tucker, Warren, Scott Cordry and John Kraljevich, Heritage Sale 3010: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2010.
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