Japan 1896 (M29) yen

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This type, roughly equal to a silver dollar, was struck 1886-1912 and is common in all grades. This date is common. 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." Many of the early dates of Meiji yen were countermarked as "gin" (KM 28) in 1897 to circulate as trade dollars in Taiwan, annexed to Japan in 1895.

Recorded mintage: 11,363,949.

Specification: 26.96 g, 0.900 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW, 38.1 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM-YA25.3.

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.

Link to:

• 1895 yen, countermarked gin left
• 1895 yen
• 1896 yen, countermarked gin right
• 1896 yen, countermarked gin left
• 1896 5 yen
• 1897 yen
• Coins and currency dated 1896
• return to coins of Japan