Japan 1947 (S22) 50 sen KM-Y67
This specimen was lot 23350 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $1,920. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN. 50 Sen, Year 22 (1947). Osaka Mint. Hirohito (Showa). PCGS MS-65. Large size type. Emanating from an EXTREMELY RARE date that was never officially released into circulation, this stunningly attractive Gem presents a melange of colorful hues composed of cobalt, violet, magenta, and subtle champagne, all upon a mostly light brown backdrop. Assured to excite the connoisseur of fine Japanese issues." The silver fifty sen was 13.48 g until 1905, then 10.13 g during 1912-17, then 4.95 g during 1922-38. Production was suspended until after the war and then converted to this brass type. The English legend "50 SEN" was likely added for the benefit of American GI's who might be using this coin. The combined mintage shown for 1946-47 is nearly all 1946, as the 1947 is rare. Most of the 1947 issue was of Y69, which was only 2.8 g. The denomination was last issued in 1948.
Recorded mintage: 268,161,000 for 1946-47.
Specification: 4.5 g, brass.
Catalog reference: KM-Y67; JNDA-01-18; JC-09-18.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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