Japan 1913 (T2) 5 yen
This specimen was lot 50092 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $4,080. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN. 5 Yen, Year 2 (1913). Osaka Mint. Yoshihito (Taisho). PCGS MS-65 Gold Shield. Two-year type. A highly original Gem of the type with thick luster and limited signs of handling over the surfaces. An especially desirable type considering it's short-lived issuance. From the Pinnacle Collection." This type was struck 1913 and 1924 during the Taisho era in some numbers but remains scarce today. It seems likely that most of the issue remained in government hands as backing for currency until the inflation of World War One ended any likelihood of circulating the coin.
Recorded mintage: 89,820.
Specification: 4.16 g, 0.900 fine gold, .120 troy oz AGW, milled edge.
Catalog reference: Fr-54; KM-Y39; JNDA-01-8.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- The Catalog of Japanese Coins and Banknotes, Tokyo: JNDA (Japanese Numismatic Dealers Assn.), 2014.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The April 2021 Hong Kong Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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