Japan 1987 (S62) yen
This specimen was lot 3836 in Stephen Album sale 50 (Santa Rosa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $54. The catalog description[1] noted, "JAPAN: Showa, 1926-1989, 1 yen, year 62 (1987), PCGS graded Proof 70 DCAM. First proof year for this type and proofs were produced only in two years for the Showa type." This specimen was struck by the Tokyo mint, which issued this type in immense quantities 1955-89. The aluminum yen was introduced in 1955 as part of Macarthur's currency reform of 1948, which dropped all denominations under one yen. A similar type was issued under Akihito's name, tho mintages dwindled after the late nineties. The last date struck for circulation was 2009. Today (July 2024), US$1 = 154 yen.
Recorded mintage: 955,545,000 plus 230,000 proofs.
Specification: 1 g, aluminum, 20 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Y-74, JNDA-02-13.
- 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]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Auction 50, featuring selections from the Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld Collection, the Hakim Hamidi Collection, the Almer H. Orr III Collection and the Solar Collection, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
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