Japan 1890 (M23) yen
This specimen was lot 72728 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, May 2023), where it sold for $432. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN. Yen, Year 23 (1890). Osaka Mint. Mutsuhito (Meiji). NGC MS-61. Displaying nice luster and strong details, this handsome piece is certain to achieve many excited bids." This type, roughly equal to a silver dollar, was struck 1874-1912. The diameter was slightly reduced in mid-1886, creating two varieties for 1886-87 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: 7,292,877.
Specification: 26.96 g, 0.900 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW, 38.1 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-YA25.3; JNDA-01-10A; JC-09-10-2.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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