Japan 1937 (S12) sen

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This one sen was struck in Japan during the reign of the Showa emperor, Hirohito (1926-89). The type was struck 1927-38; this date is common. 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." The last one sen coin was issued in 1945, as B-29's rained death on Japanese cities.

Recorded mintage: 133,196,568.

Specification: 3.75 g, bronze, 23 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM Y47.

Source:

• 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.

Link to:

• 1936 sen
• 1937 50 sen
• 1938 sen, bronze, Paulownia obverse
• 1938 sen, bronze, bird obverse
• 1939 aluminum sen
• Coins and currency dated 1937
• return to coins of Japan