JAPANESE COINS & CURRENCY

COPPER 1 MON COIN OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN   

In 1668 the Shoguns of Japan introduced a new variety of the copper 1 Mon coin which featured the Japanese character "bun" on the reverse, indicating the coin was made at the Edo (now Tokyo) mint. The obverse has the characters Kan Ei Tsu Ho, which some translate as "precious currency of the era of perpetual leniency". It was rumored that the coins were made from copper salvaged from a melted statue Buddhist statue that contained gold, which made the coins especially desireable.  Due to the special source of metal in these coins was also reputed to prevent the ill effects of tobacco when a pipe could be cast from them.  The coin continued to be made until 1700 and remained in circulation until 1873.  It is a notable and inexpensive coin of the Shoguns of Japan

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RECTANGULAR SILVER COIN OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN 

This unusual rectangular silver 1 Bu (Ichibu Gin) coins was one of the last coins issued by the famous and once powerful Shoguns of Japan. The Shoguns were the military rulers of Japan, who for hundreds of years controlled the island nation.  They were finally forced from power in 1867 due to the pressures of modernization brought about by the United States.  Their militaristic influence continued however, leading to World War II.  This silver 1 Bu was minted from 1837 until 1868. It is approximately 24mm x 16mm and includes an official countermark on the reverse.  It is one of the few rectangular coins ever used by any nation in general circulation.

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LAST BRONZE JAPANESE 1 SEN FORSHADOWS UPCOMING WAR

In 1938 Japan intoduced a new design for their bronze 1 Sen coin.  The obverse features the mythological crow called Yatagarasu, which sybolizes a devine intervention into human affairs.  The other side features the Imperial Chrysanthemum seal, which signifies the Emperor at the top.  The denomination is in the middle.  At the bottom is the Paulownia Flower, which is the seal of the civilian government of Japan.  The new coin replaced the previous 1 Sen which featured only the Paulownia Flower. The coin is dated in the 13th year of Emperor Hirohito's reign (Showa Era year 13).  When the coin was issued Japan had already invaded China and was gearing up for more war.  Because copper was an important war material, the new bronze coin had less copper than the previous issues.   The 23mm bronze coin was struck for less than a year before it was replaced with an aluminum coin.  The historic, old coin is in Uncirculated condition, though may show a bit of toning.

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COINS OF OCCUPIED JAPAN

This set includes two of the first coins Japan issued following its defeat in World War II, while it was under American occupation. They were some of the first Japanese coins to feature the denomination in western numerals. Both coins feature cherry blossoms, which signifies renewal, and the Imperial Chrysanthemum Seal representing the Emperor.  The aluminum 10 Sen was minted only in 1945 and 1946, before it was discontinued due to inflation. One side features rice stalks and the denomination in Japanese.  The other side depicts a cherry blossom and the denomination in western numerals.  The brass 50 Sen was struck only in 1947 and 1948, before it too was discontinued due to a lack of buying power.  The obverse features the denomination in Japanese within a wreath of cherry blossoms and the denomination in Japanese.  The denomination in western numerals is on the reverse.

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JAPAN SILVER 1000 YEN 1964 OLYMPIC COIN  

Mount Fuji is featured on this attractive 1964 silver 1000 Yen coin.  The coin was issued to commemorate the Olympic Games that were held in Tokyo that year.  The reverse includes the denomination and the Olympic rings flanked by cherry blossoms. The coin is dated Year 39 of the Showa era, which corresponds to 1964.  With the Olympics returning to Tokyo, hopefully in 2021, it is expected that there will be an increased demand for this beautiful coin. The 35mm coin contains .5948 troy ounces of silver.

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JAPAN CELEBRATES EXPO '70

Japan issued this copper-nickel 100 Yen coin to commemorate Expo '70, held in Osaka.  It was the first World's Fair held in Japan.  Seventy seven nations participated in the event and over 64 million people attended the six month event.  It set a record for the most visitors until the 2010 Shanghai Expo.  The attractive 28mm coin features Mount Fuji on one side and the Expo logo on the other.   The coin is dated the 45th year of the Showa Era (reign of Emperor Hirohito), which corresonds to 1970.

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COMPLETE SET OF JAPAN 2020 TOKYO OLYMPICS 100 YEN COINS

In 2017 Japan started a four-year, 20-coin, series of circulating 100 Yen commemorating the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.  Due to COVID-19, the games were not held in 2020.   The games are now scheduled for to starting July 2021, but due to continuing concerns about COVID-19, even that may not happen..  The reverses of the coins feature the words "TOKYO 2020" and the Olympic and Tokyo Olympics emblems or the Paralympic and Tokyo Paralympic emblems. The obverses depict 18 different Olympic and Paralympic sports, plus the two mascots for the games.  Depicted are some of the non-traditional sports, including skate boarding, sport climbing, surfing, Paralympic Boccia and Wheelchair Rugby. The copper-nickel coins are 22.6mm in diameter.     It is a fascinating set of host country Olympic coins for games that were not held.


Also see:
JAPAN SILVER 1000 YEN 1964 OLYMPIC COIN

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UNUSUAL FIBER COINS FROM WWII JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF CHINA  

Manchukuo was a Japanese puppet state carved out of Northeastern China prior to World War II.  Due to a severe metal shortage towards the end of the war, it issued these unusual 1 Fen and 5 Fen coins struck in a thick, red material rather than metal. The coins are dated in the year of the reign of Emperor Kang Te of Manchukuo.   Kang Te was formerly known as Pu Yi, who was the last Emperor of China until he was deposed in 1911. The Japanese used him as the figurehead leader for Manchukuo.  The 1 Fen struck only a single year; 1945.  The 5 Fen was struck in 1944 and 1945. Because the material used was relitively soft, the coins show considerable wear. These historic World War II coins are some of the few circulating non-metallic coins of the 20th century.  

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JAPANESE MILITARY CURRENCY FOR CHINA

Japan  issued Military Currency starting in 1938 for use in the areas of China that they occupied. Because civilians were forced to accept the Military Yen, which was not backed and could not be exchanged into Japanese Yen, it cost the Japanese government virtually nothing to purchase whatever they wanted. The initial issues of Military currency were created by overprinting Japanese homeland notes by putting a red line through the "Bank of Japan Convertible Silver Note" at the front, another line through the Bank of Japan seal on the back putting four large "Military Note" characters on both sides.  The next issue used modified homeland notes that did not have the the Bank of Japan inscriptions or seals.  Later notes were issued for China with the inscription Imperial Japanese Government without the Military note overprint.   The 50 Sen note depicts a dragon on the front and inscriptions on the back.

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JAPANESE INVASION OF THE UNITED STATES?

When these notes issued by Japan started showing up during World War II, many people took it as proof that Japan was about to conquer the United States and had already printed new currency for the United States. After all, the notes were clearly denominated in Dollar or Cents and had the words "THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT" in large letters.  The story was repeated so many times that many believed it must be true.  Though the Japanese government did print the notes, however they were for use in Malay, which Japan conquered by early 1942, and not the United States.   Like the United States, Malaya used dollars and cents.  The Uncirculated 10 Dollar notes pictures features bananas, breadfruit and coconuts on the front and palm trees and a ship steaming in the horizon on the back.   These are historic collector’s items recalling Japan’s unsuccessful attempt to extend her empire across Asia in World War II

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