1 sen coin

Former unit of Japanese currency a former unit of Japanese currency other uses (including current monetary units) Sen (disambiguation) Japan One Sen 1 100 Japanese Yen (1873–1915) 7.13 g, (1916–1945) various (1873–1915) 27.9 mm, (1916–1945) various circular Various compositions 1873–1945 Varies, depending on year. Varies, depending on year. The one sen coin 一銭 was a Japanese coin worth one-hundredth of a Japanese yen, as 100 sen equalled 1 yen.https://books.google.com/books?id=mZ8FAAAAQAAJ&q=japanese+half+sen&pg=PA113 The British Almanac Stationers' Company John Crowdy 1873 112–113 December 9, 2016 One sen coins were first struck for circulation during the 6th year of Meiji's reign (1873) using a dragon design. The denomination had been adopted in 1871 but coinage at the time could not be carried out. Aside from an alloy change and a new rice stalk wreath design, one sen coins remained the same weight and size for the remainder of the era. The situation changed when World War I broke out under Emperor Taishō as rising metal costs led to a size and weight reduction. These smaller coins were first produced in 1916 with a paulownia design which was seen as liberal at the time. Emperor Shōwa took the throne in 1926, and Japan was pushed into a militaristic regime by the early 1930s causing metals to be set aside for wartime conditions. These effects would later impact one sen coins through numerous alloy, size, and design changes. Bronze was the first alloy to be used for coinage which was replaced by brass, then aluminium in the span of a single year (1938). One sen coins were made lighter and were reduced in size as World War II raged on causing a demand for material to make military supplies. The last coins were produced from 1944 to 1945 using a tin and zinc based alloy as the situation further deteriorated. One sen coins were discontinued after the war, and were demonetized at the end of 1953 along with other subsidiary coinage.https://web.archive.org/web/20020628033108/http://www.shugiin.go.jp/itdb_housei.nsf/html/houritsu/01619530715060.htm http://www.shugiin.go.jp/itdb_housei.nsf/html/houritsu/01619530715060.htm June 28, 2002 小額通貨の整理及び支払金の端数計算に関する法律 A law of the abolition of currencies in a small denomination and rounding off a fraction, July 15, 1953 Law No.60 www.shugiin.go.jp December 5, 2016 Collectors now trade these coins on the market where their value depends on survivability rate and condition. History Meiji and Taishō (1873–1924) thumb|left|200px|Production of the one sen coin began in 1873 during Meiji's 6th year of reign One sen coins along with twelve other denominations were adopted by the Meiji government in an act signed on June 27, 1871.A. Piatt Andrew, Quarterly Journal of Economics, "The End of the Mexican Dollar", 18:3:321–356, 1904, p. 345 This new coinage gave Japan a western style decimal system based on units of yen, which were broken down into subsidiary currency of sen, and rin.https://books.google.com/books?id=Jv2Sh6mTKi4C&q=one+sen+coin+1873&pg=PA345 Brief History of Coinage Laws Since 1871 Annual Report of the Director of the United States Mint United States Department of the Treasury 1899 345https://books.google.com/books?id=dHk9AAAAYAAJ&q=half+sen+1873&pg=PA983 Coinage at Home and Abroad The Bankers' Magazine, and Statistical Register Wm. Crosby and H.P. Nicholes 1873 27 983 The first coins minted were trial strikes or pattern coins, which are dated 1869 (year 2 of Meiji) and 1870 (year 3). No coins were struck for circulation right away as the technology to mass-produce the coins was poor at the time. Silver and gold coins were thus given priority as they were produced and distributed to the market before copper coinage could be carried out.https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/m001b.htm 1銭銅貨 Buntetsu October 16, 2020 One sen coins were eventually introduced on August 29, 1873, via government notification. Each coin was authorized to be struck in an alloy of copper, weighs 110 grains (7.13g), and has a 1.10 inch diameter (27.9mm).https://books.google.com/books?id=6RlDAQAAIAAJ&q=1+sen+coin+98+copper&pg=PA745 The Japan Daily Mail 4 1874 745https://books.google.com/books?id=i9YqAAAAYAAJ&q=%221+sen%22+weight+grains&pg=RA3-PA275 Monetary System of Japan Report and Accompanying Documents of the United States Monetary Commission, Organized Under Joint Resolution of August 15, 1876 U.S. Government Printing Office 2 1877 276 Obverse features on the first one sen design include a dragon with the date of reign, and "1 sen" written in English. Reverse features include the value "1 sen" (written in Kanji) centered inside a wreath design. The Chrysanthemum seal is located at the top of the coin flanked by the words "100 for one yen" in Kanji. These coins were legal tender only up to the amount of 1 yen which was fixed by government regulations.https://books.google.com/books?id=GbgpAAAAYAAJ&q=one+sen+coin+1878&pg=PA2264 Commercial Notes Monthly Summary of Commerce and Finance of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office 1900 2264 Production continued for a few years before it was stopped as no coins are dated from year 11 or 12 (1878 and 1879). It is theorized that the aftermath of the Satsuma Rebellion could have left an impact.http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/ryu_1sen_dou.htm 竜一銭銅貨 Pepper's Square October 16, 2020 When production resumed in 1880 (year 13), the scales on the obverse dragon design were changed from a square to a V-shaped pattern.http://archives.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/user_data/upload/File/smallexhibition/H26-01.pdf Shifting of Modern Currency Yamaguchi Prefectural Archives October 16, 2020 This slightly modified first one sen design continued to be minted until 1888 (year 21), when coinage was stopped due to mass production and a slight oversupply. As with several other denominations it's possible that non circulating one sen dragon coins were made again in 1892 (year 25) for display at the World's Columbian Exposition.1892s Several unique coins dated 1892 are known to have been produced to display at the World's Columbian Exposition.https://coins.ha.com/itm/japan/japan-meiji-gold-proof-10-yen-year-4-1871-pr66-cameo-ngc-/a/3056-30393.s Japan: Meiji gold Proof 10 Yen Year 4 (1871) PR66 Cameo Heritage Auctions August 19, 2020 While there are no known existing examples of one sen coins dated 1892 (year 25), they are mentioned by Krause Publications.https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-17.2-yr.131880-yr.251892-cuid-1165900-duid-1449715 Japan Sen Y# 17.2 Yr.25(1892) Numismatic Guaranty Corporation October 16, 2020 The Japanese government officially switched to the gold standard on October 1, 1897, and new coinage laws were adopted.https://books.google.com/books?id=ywR7HXjTU9QC&q=Japan%20gold%20standard%20October%201897 New Coinage law of Japan Sound Currency Sound Currency Committee of the Reform Club 1899 28 & 29 Changes for the one sen coin included a reduction of copper content by 3%, while the weight and size of the coins were left the same as before.https://books.google.com/books?id=QzcWAAAAYAAJ&q=%221%20sen%22%20coin Law No. XVI of the 20th day of March of the 30th year of Meiji (1897) Report on the Adoption of the Gold Standard in Japan 1899 192–193 Ōkurashō Japan Both sides of the coin received a brand new design as some of the older elements were no longer viewed positively. The dragon on the obverse side in particular was removed due to the First Sino-Japanese War which lasted from 1894 to 1895.http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/ine_1sen_dou.htm 稲一銭青銅貨 (1898) Pepper's Square October 16, 2020 July 22, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200722093131/http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/ine_1sen_dou.htm deadIt was a practice of the Qing dynasty to honor the dragon. A rice stalk wreath was chosen to replace the dragon, while the reverse side of the coin received a sunburst design.https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/m001.htm 1銭青銅貨 (2) www.buntetsu.net Japanese March 28, 2018 One sen coins continued to be struck for circulation in the Meiji era until 1902 (year 35). While coins dated 1906 and 1909 (year 39 and 42) were struck, none were released for circulation.https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1843466 1 Sen, Japan, 1906 American Museum of Natural History October 18, 2020https://coins.ha.com/itm/japan/japan-meiji-copper-proof-1-sen-year-39-1906-/a/3015-24295.s Meiji copper Proof 1 Sen Year 39 (1906) Heritage Auctions October 18, 2020https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-20-yr.311898-yr.421909-cuid-1202583-duid-1442470 Japan Sen Y# 20 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 Although production resumed under Emperor Taishō in 1913, World War I broke out in the following year. This event brought Japan a booming economy which required an increase of small denomination coins. At the same time rising metal costs to produce one sen coins became an issue, and their large size had made them difficult to distribute.http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/kiri_1sen_seidou.htm 桐一銭青銅貨 Kiri 1 Sen (Bronze) Pepper's Square October 18, 2020 Pattern coins were made in 1915 and again in 1916 to test out a smaller design which debuted in the latter year. This new design features the paulownia coat of arms, is 23.03 mm in diameter, and weighs 3.75g.https://books.google.com/books?id=K0c8AQAAIAAJ&q=Japan+1+sen+coin+1916+paulownia A Review of Life and Progress in the Orient, Volume 1 The Herald of Asia 1916 35 The paulownia design was controversial at the time and seen as a liberal democratic trend which was criticized by those in the right wing. One sen coins with this design continued to be produced until 1924 (year 13 of Taishō) without any additional changes. Shōwa (1927–1953) thumb|Materials to make coins such as aluminum were eventually needed for aircraft (c.1944). One sen coins were minted again during Emperor Shōwa's 2nd year of reign (1927) using the Taishō era paulownia design. Meanwhile, events around the world including the Great Depression were leading up to another world war. Japan was pushed into a militaristic regime by 1933, and started stockpiling nickel as war materials.New Revised Money Notebook, History and Collection Guide for Japanese Coins Reiji Aoyama Bonanza 1982 192–193 The Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937 and a National Mobilization Law was declared in the following year.Pauer Erich 1999 Japan's War Economy Routledge 0-415-15472-3 13 This action suspended the coinage act of 1897 and allowed the Japanese government to issue temporary subsidiary coins without obtaining approval from the Imperial Diet.New Revised Money Notebook, History and Collection Guide for Japanese Coins Reiji Aoyama Bonanza 1982 193–195 New brass coins featuring a crow design on the obverse replaced the old copper paulownia coins on June 1, 1938.https://books.google.com/books?id=tu1VY7zA5CQC&q=Japan+sen+coin+1938&pg=PA76 Money, Banking, and Credit Civil Affairs Handbook: Taiwan (Formosa) Economic Supplement Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (US Navy) United States Department of the Navy 1944 76 Brass was chosen as the previous composition contained tin which was a military-important metal not produced in Japan.http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/1sen_oudou.htm 一銭黄銅貨（カラス1銭黄銅貨）Crow 1 Sen (Blass) Pepper's Square Japanese October 26, 2020 The "crow" design with waves on the obverse, and eight ridge mirrors on the reverse was made by combining submissions from a public offering. On November 29, 1938, the act was revised and one sen coins were struck in aluminum as copper was needed for munitions.https://books.google.com/books?id=xoWuOF3PLuoC&q=Japan+sen+coin+November+1938&pg=PA9-IA1 Japanese Mint Stamping New One Sen Coins Far Eastern Financial Notes U.S. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce 1 1939 8 The diameter of the one sen coin was reduced from 23 down to 17.6mm, while the weight dropped from 3.75 to 0.90 grams.https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/cmc001-2.htm 1銭アルミニウム貨 www.buntetsu.net Japanese March 28, 2018 Although the coins were now smaller and lighter, the crow and waves design did not change.http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/karasu_1sen_arumi.htm カラス一銭アルミニウム貨 Karasu 1 Sen (Alminum) Pepper's Square Japanese October 26, 2020 By using aluminum, one sen coins were produced in large amounts as the alloy is naturally soft, did not require annealing, and extended the life of the dies. The design of the one sen coin changed again in 1941, featuring Mount Fuji on the reverse representing Hakkō ichiu.http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/fuji_1sen_arumi.htm 富士一銭アルミニウム貨 Fuji 1 Sen (Alminum) Pepper's Square Japanese October 27, 2020https://books.google.com/books?id=ybTdCQAAQBAJ&q=Japan+sen+coin+1941+fuji&pg=PT152 Mount Fuji: Icon of Japan H. Byron Earhart Univ of South Carolina Press 2015 9781611171112 The obverse side shows the character "ichi" or "one" representing the value of the coin. This feature was allegedly handwritten by Isao Kawada, who was the minister of finance at the time. The diameter of the coin was also reduced from 17.6 to 16mm while the weight dropped from 0.90 to 0.65 grams. In April 1943 the Japanese government announced plans to use tin in coinage as aluminum was needed for more aircraft.https://books.google.com/books?id=smwn2UxgD8YC&q=Japan+one+sen+coin+1941&pg=PA102 Currency and Money Transfers Currency Standard and Circulating Media Civil Affairs Handbook United States Army 1943 102 This shift did not happen right away as one sen coins had their aluminum content dropped from 0.65 to 0.55g that year. However, as World War II dragged on the amount of available aluminum was eventually depleted. Tin and zinc replaced aluminum for one sen coins when they were issued in March 1944. The final design used for these coins features a chrysanthemum crest with value on the obverse, and inscriptions on the reverse. Although tin was not an ideal choice for money as the metal is heat-sensitive and soft, the Japanese government had no alternatives.https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/cmc001-3.htm 1銭錫貨 www.buntetsu.net Japanese March 28, 2018 Supplies of tin were available at the time from occupied Southeast Asia where the metal was abundantly produced. This remedy was temporary as one sen coins were forcefully discontinued in 1945 due to a depleted tin supply from naval blockades.http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/1sen_suzuaen.htm 写真：昭和19年 Pepper's Square Japanese October 27, 2020 A last ditch attempt was made by making one sen coins out of porcelain in the final months of the war. These were never officially issued and were destroyedOne sen coins struck in porcelain as pattern coins were spared. afterwards. One sen coins were officially demonetized at the end of 1953 when the Japanese government passed a law abolishing subsidiary coinage in favor of the yen. By this time, excessive post-war inflation had made them redundant as they were rarely seen in circulation.https://www.boj.or.jp/announcements/education/oshiete/money/c24.htm/ 1円未満のお金が使えなくなったのはいつからですか？ Bank of Japan Japanese October 27, 2020 Composition Years Material 1873–1888 98% Copper, 2% Tin and Zinc 1898–1938 95% Copper, 4% Tin, 1% Aluminium 1938https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/cmc001-1.htm 1銭青銅貨 (3) www.buntetsu.net Japanese March 28, 2018 90% Copper, 10% Zinc 1938–1943 100% Aluminium 1944–1945 50% Tin, 50% Zinc Circulation figures Meiji thumb|One sen coin from 1873 (year 6)Design 1 - (1873–1892) thumb|One sen coin from 1898 (year 31)Design 2 - (1898–1909) The following are circulation figures for one sen coins that were minted between the 6th, and 42nd year of Meiji's reign. The dates all begin with the Japanese symbol 明治 (Meiji), followed by the year of his reign the coin was minted. Each coin is read clockwise from right to left, so in the example used below "一十二" would read as "year 21" or 1888. Some of the mintages included cover more than one variety of a given coin. "Year" ← "Number representing year of reign" ← "Emperors name" (Ex: 年 ← 一十二 ← 治明 ← Top of coin facing self) Year of reign Japanese date Gregorian date Mintage 6th 六 1873 1,301,486https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-17.1-yr.101877-yr.91876-cuid-1163175-duid-1466273 Japan Sen Y# 17.1 Yr.6(1873) Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 7th 七 1874 25,564,953 8th 八 1875 32,832,038 9th 九 1876 38,048,906 10th 十 1877 98,041,824 13th 三十 1880 33,947,810https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-17.2-yr.131880-yr.251892-cuid-1165900-duid-1451623 Japan Sen Y# 17.2 Yr.13(1880) Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 14th 四十The mintage given on the right includes both "Large 4" (四) and normal varieties 1881 16,123,612 15th 五十 1882 19,150,666 16th 六十 1883 47,613,017 17th 七十 1884 53,702,768 18th 八十 1885 46,846,352 19th 九十 1886 26,886,198 20th 十二 1887 22,249,580 21st 一十二 1888 25,864,939 25th 五十二 1892 Not circulated1892s 31st 一十三 1898 3,649,448 32nd 二十三 1899 9,764,028 33rd 三十三 1900 3,086,524 34th 四十三 1901 5,555,155 35th 五十三 1902 4,444,845 39th 九十三 1906 Not circulated 42nd 二十四 1909 Not circulated Taishō thumb|One sen coinThese coins use the same design as those minted previously under Meiji, but have Taishō's name and year of reign on the reverse.Design 1 - (1913–1915) thumb|One sen coin from 1916 (year 5)Design 2 - (1916–1924) The following are circulation figures for one sen coins that were minted between the 2nd and 13th year of Taishō's reign. The dates all begin with the Japanese symbol 大正 (Taishō), followed by the year of his reign the coin was minted. Each coin is read clockwise from right to left, so in the example used below "二十" would read as "year 12" or 1923. "Year" ← "Number representing year of reign" ← "Emperors name" (Ex: 年 ← 二十 ← 正大 ← Top of coin facing self) Year of reign Japanese date Gregorian date Mintage 2nd 二 1913 15,000,000https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-35-yr.21913-yr.41915-cuid-1133386-duid-1443735 Japan Sen Y# 35 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 3rd 三 1914 10,000,000 4th 四 1915 13,000,000 5th 五 1916 (Reduced)The size and weight of the sen was reduced in 1916 to save production costs. 19,193,946https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-42-yr.101921-yr.91920-cuid-1133387-duid-1443285 Japan Sen Y# 42 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 6th 六 1917 27,183,078 7th 七 1918 121,794,756 8th 八 1919 209,959,359 9th 九 1920 118,829,256 10th 十 1921 252,440,000 11th 一十 1922 253,210,000 12th 二十 1923 155,500,000 13th 三十 1924 106,250,000 Shōwa The following are circulation figures for one sen coins that were minted between the, and year of Emperor Shōwa's reign. The dates all begin with the Japanese symbol 昭和 (Shōwa), followed by the year of his reign the coin was minted. Each coin is read clockwise from right to left, so in the example used below "二十" would read as "year 12" or 1937. Coin patterns that include examples struck on porcelain are not included here as they were never issued for circulation. "Year" ← "Number representing year of reign" ← "Emperors name" (Ex: 年 ← 二十 ← 和昭 ← Top of coin facing self) Year of reign Japanese date Gregorian date Mintage 2nd 二 1927 26,500,000https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-47-yr.101935-yr.91934-cuid-1135068-duid-1443287 Japan Sen Y# 47 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 4th 四 1929 3,000,000 5th 五 1930 5,000,000 6th 六 1931 25,001,222 7th 七 1932 35,066,715 8th 八 1933 38,936,907 9th 九 1934 100,004,950 10th 十 1935 200,009,912 11th 一十 1936 109,170,428 12th 二十 1937 133,196,568 13th 三十 1938 TY1 Bronze1938 sen One sen coins minted in 1938 are split into three different composition types (see table above). 87,649,338 1938 TY2 Brass1938 sen 113,600,000https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-55-yr.131938-cuid-1132850-duid-1442505 Japan Sen Y# 55 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 1938 TY3 Al1938 sen 45,502,266https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-56-yr.131938-yr.151940-cuid-1135164-duid-1443210 Japan Sen Y# 56 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 14th 四十 1939 444,602,146 15th 五十 1940 601,110,015 16th 六十 1941 1,016,620,734https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-59-yr.161941-yr.181943-cuid-1202584-duid-1465359 Japan Sen Y# 59 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 17th 七十 1942 119,709,832 18th 八十 1943 1,163,949,434 18th 八十 1943 (Lighter) 627,160,000https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-59a-yr.181943-cuid-1133475-duid-1442474 Japan Sen Y# 59a Numismatic Guaranty Corporation April 10, 2020 19th 九十 1944 1,629,580,000https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-62-yr.191944-yr.201945-cuid-1132165-duid-1443740 Japan Sen Y# 62 Numismatic Guaranty Corporation August 3, 2018 20th 十二 1945 Shōwa era designs Five different designs were used during the Shōwa era for the 1 sen coin, not including pattern coins which were never intended for circulation. As the weight and sizes were changed frequently after 1937, these designs have been listed separate with their respective information. Image Minted Diameter Mass 150px 1927–1938This carried over the same design minted under Emperor Taishō since 1916.(Year 2–13) 23.0mm 3.75g 150px 1938brass These are "type 2" brass coins.(Year 13) 23.0mm 3.75g 150px 1938–1940(Year 13–15) 17.6mm 0.90g 150px 1941–1943(Year 16–18) 16.0mm 0.65g 150px 1943(Year 18) 16.0mm 0.55g 150px 1944–1945(Year 19–20) 15.0mm 1.30g Collecting The value of any given coin is determined by survivability rate and condition as collectors in general prefer uncleaned appealing coins. One sen coins with the dragon design (1873 to 1888) have two main key dates which are worth the most.https://kosen-kantei.jp/varity/1-sen-coin/ 【保存版】1銭硬貨の買取価値はいくら？平均価格＆査定相場《全7種類》 Kosen Kanti 11 November 2019 Japanese October 30, 2020 The first key date are coins dated 1873 (year 3) given their low mintage, while the second and rarest key date of the series are coins from 1881 (year 14) with the "large 4" variety. The latter of the two features slightly different strokes inside the character "four" (四), which makes the inner right stroke look like an obtuse angle.https://antique-coin.info/kaitori/meiji-1sen/ 大四竜1銭銅貨の見分け方 Antique Coin Info 29 March 2018 Japanese November 13, 2020 Copper subsidiary coinage including half sen, sen, and two sen coins all initially use a dragon design. All of these except one sen coins have two varieties made during 1877 as the scales were changed from a square to a "V" shape pattern. One sen coins received the change in 1880, and there is little difference in value when it comes to the design of the dragon's scales.https://coinquest.com/cgi-bin/cq/coins.pl?coin=9543 Japan 1/2, 1, and 2 Sen 1873 to 1892 Coin Quest October 30, 2020 The next rice wreath design (1898 to 1915) spanned two imperial eras. In general, coins dated towards the end of the Meiji era (1898 to 1902) are worth slightly more than those made under Emperor Taishō. The most valuable of these coins are dated from 1900 and 1902 (year 33 and 35). Finally, one sen coins with the paulownia design (1916 to 1938) have a single key date with 1930 (year 5 of Shōwa). The one sen coin eventually received a crow design in 1938 and production increased until the series ended in 1945. Collecting these later dates remains affordable as there are plenty of surviving coins. See also Japan Money Numismatics Penny, similar denominations in other currencies Notes References Category:Coins of Japan Category:Japanese sen Category:One-cent coins Category:Currencies of Japan