Japan 1886 (M19) yen
The first specimen was lot 21428 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Las Vegas, August 2020), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN. Yen, Year 19 (1886). Mutsuhito (Meiji). PCGS MS-62 Gold Shield. Large Size type. A sharply struck example with frosty devices and satiny surfaces displaying a thin veneer of champagne tone offering good eye appeal and originality. From the BKingdom Collection." The second specimen was lot 21430 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Las Vegas, August 2020), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN. Yen, Year 19 (1886). Mutsuhito (Meiji). PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, Unc Details Gold Shield. Reduced Size type. Sharply struck with remaining luster in the protected areas and flashy surfaces. A bit on the bright side from and old cleaning now with a thin veneer of champagne tone. Overall a wholesome example of this sought after date sure worthy of consideration. From the BKingdom Collection." This type, roughly equal to a silver dollar, was struck 1874-1912. The diameter was slightly reduced in mid-1886, creating two varieties which cannot be told apart without a micrometer. 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: 9,084,262 (all varieties).
Specification: 26.96 g, 0.900 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW, 38.6 mm diameter (first specimen) or 38.1 mm diameter (second specimen).
Catalog reference: KM-YA25.2 or KM-YA25.3; JNDA-01-10.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The August 2020 ANA Auction: World Coins, featuring the Duke of Lansing Collection, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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