Japan 1940 (S15) 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 1938-40; 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: 601,110,015.

Specification: 0.90 g, aluminum, 17 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:

• 1939 sen
• 1940 10 sen, aluminum
• 1942 10 sen
• 1943 sen
• Coins and currency dated 1940
• return to coins of Japan