JAPANESE COINS & CURRENCY
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.
Item
JP-C16 JAPAN SILVER 1 BU (1837-68)
VF-XF $49.75
LAST BRONZE JAPANESE 1 SEN
FORSHADOWS UPCOMING WAR
In
1938 Japan introduced a new design for their bronze 1 Sen coin.
The obverse features the mythological crow called Yatagarasu, which
symbolizes a divine 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 emblem of the civil
government. 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 war. Because copper
was in important war material, the new bronze coin had a lower
percentage of copper than the previous issue. The 23mm
bronze coin was struck for less than a year. Because of further
expected needs for copper as a war material the bronze coin was struck
for less than a year. Late in 1938 year it was replaced
with a 17.6mm aluminum 1 Sen coin bearing the same design. The
historic, old coin is in Uncirculated condition, though may show a bit
of toning.
Item
JP-1SEN-38 JAPAN BRONZE 1 SEN 1938, Y55
UNC. $5.00
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.
Item
JP-EXPO70 JAPAN 100 YEN EXPO '70 Y83 UNC. $4.00
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.
Item
MAN-1F MANCHUKUO 1 FEN 1945 Y13a
G-VG 7.00
Item
MAN-5F MANCHUKUO 5 FEN 1944-45 YA13a
G-VG $7.00
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
Item
PM-MALAYA10 MALAYA 10 DOLLARS
JAPANESE INVASION NOTE, PM7c UNC.
$3.00
Item
PM-MALAYA10x10 10 PIECES OF MALAYA 10 DOLLARS
JAPANESE INVASION NOTE, PM7c AU-UNC. $18.00
Item
PM-MALAYA10x100 100 PIECES OF MALAYA 10
DOLLARS
JAPANESE INVASION NOTE, PM7c AU-UNC. $95.00
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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. 
In
1938 Japan introduced a new design for their bronze 1 Sen coin.
The obverse features the mythological crow called Yatagarasu, which
symbolizes a divine 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 emblem of the civil
government. 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 war. Because copper
was in important war material, the new bronze coin had a lower
percentage of copper than the previous issue. The 23mm
bronze coin was struck for less than a year. Because of further
expected needs for copper as a war material the bronze coin was struck
for less than a year. Late in 1938 year it was replaced
with a 17.6mm aluminum 1 Sen coin bearing the same design. The
historic, old coin is in Uncirculated condition, though may show a bit
of toning.
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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