Japan 1919 (T8) 20 yen
This specimen was lot 50090 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $6,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN. 20 Yen, Year 8 (1919). Osaka Mint. Yoshihito (Taisho). PCGS MS-66 Gold Shield. Bordering on pristine, this Gem displaying fine satiny luster and surfaces that are free of nearly all signs of past handling. An ideal coin for the collector seeking a superb example of the Taisho 20 Yen type. From the Pinnacle Collection." This type was struck 1913-20 during the early years of the Taisho emperor. 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: 1,531,217.
Specification: 16.67 g, 0.900 fine gold, 28.78 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Fr-53; KM-Y40.2; JNDA-01-6.
- 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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