Japan 1883 (M16) 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 21458 in Heritage sale 3010 (Boston, August 2010), where it sold for $862.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Meiji 16 (1883) Yen, MS62 NGC, very attractive with full mint bloom and virtually pristine surfaces, including the reverse which almost always displays some contact marks. Elusive date in mint state."
Recorded mintage: 3,630,678.
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, 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.
Link to:
- 1881 yen
- 1882 ½ sen
- 1883 rin
- 1883 sen
- 1884 yen
- 1891 yen "Gin left"
- Coins and currency dated 1883
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