Japan 1882 (M15) yen

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Goldberg sale 106, lot 2238
Japan G106-2238r.jpg

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 2238 in Goldberg sale 106 (Los Angeles, September 2018), where it sold for $264. The catalog description[1] noted, "Japan. Yen, Meiji-15 (1882). Brilliant mint luster. PCGS graded AU-55."

Recorded mintage: 5,089,064.

Specification: 26.96 g, 0.900 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW, 38.6 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM YA25.2.

Source:

  • 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]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, John Lavender, Yifu Che, Jason Villareal and Stephen Harvey, Goldberg Sale 106: the Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, 2018.

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