Japan 1915 (T4) 20 yen
This specimen was lot 30141 in Heritage sale 3042 (Long Beach, September 2015), where it sold for $1,880. The catalog description[1] noted, "Taisho gold 20 Yen Year 4 (1915) MS62 PCGS. An enchanting representative of this large gold type displaying silky luster that envelopes the surfaces and minimal evidence of handling for the grade. From a rather short-lived series, most appealing in this Mint-State condition." This type was struck during the Taisho era in considerable numbers but remains scarce today. The type was terminated in 1920. 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: 1,508,962.
Specification: 16.66 g, 0.900 fine gold, .482 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-53; KM-Y40.2.
- 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.
- 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.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World Coin Auction 3042, featuring the Read and Bob Bennett Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
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- 1914 20 yen
- 1915 10 sen
- 1916 20 yen
- Coins and currency dated 1915
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