Japan 1924 (T13) 5 yen
This specimen was lot 50093 in Stack's Bowers Hong Kong auction (Hong Kong, April 2021), where it sold for $3,360. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN. 5 Yen, Year 13 (1924). Osaka Mint. Yoshihito (Taisho). PCGS MS-63 Gold Shield. Two-year type. A VERY SCARCE and highly demanded issue, this coin possesses razor-sharp detail through the designs and captivating semi-prooflike fields that are especially prevalent on the obverse. 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. A rare five yen struck in 1930 for Hirohito ended the series.
Recorded mintage: 76,037.
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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