Japan 1897 (M30) 1 yen
This specimen was lot 25237 in Heritage sale 3015 (Long Beach, September 2011), where it sold for $8,625. The catalog description[1] noted, "Meiji silver Yen Year 30 (1897), MS66 NGC. Blazing mint luster, with sharp definition, essentially flawless surfaces, and a hint of golden patina. Very scarce in this outstanding condition." This type, roughly equal to a silver dollar, was struck 1886-1912 and is common in all grades. This date is slightly scarce. 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: 2,448,694.
Specification: 26.96 g, 0.900 fine silver, .780 troy oz ASW, 38.1 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-YA25.3, JNDA 1-10A.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3015, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2011.
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