1873 Japan 10 sen question

clarkbar04

I just picked up a nice one of these - in my Krause it has a listing for type I and type II but offers up no description - how do I identify which type it is?

satootoko

For the Meiji 6 (1873) coin, the difference is in the characters "Mei Ji", at the beginning of the date (right side as the legend was read from right to left at that time).

In Type I the two characters are completely separate and distinct. In Type II the bottom horizontal lines are connected.

There are also two varieties of the Meiji 9 (1876) coin, but in that case the "sen" character is involved.

clarkbar04

I think I will have to post a pic for you!!

clarkbar04

Here ya go! I grade it au58, how bout you?




Here is another one I picked up. Not particularly valuable but I like the design!

1930 50 sen

satootoko

The Meiji 6 is a Type I, the significantly more common version. The character in question is at top dead center in your top picture.

I generally avoid trying to grade coins solely from pictures, but I just don't see the luster that an AU should have. The Showa 5 50 sen, on the other hand, is not only lustrous, but doesn't show any of the signs of cleaning that one would expect from a Japanese coin of that vintage.