A friend from Japan recently gave my son this coin as a gift. I believe it to be authentic. I have minimal knowledge but would like assistance with two areas. One, is there any evidence in the photographs it might be fake? Two, how can I have it officially "packaged" and graded. I am in Western Tennessee but can't find a foreign coin dealer. Thanks for the help.
I have not actually weighed the coin. It feels "heavy", but I know that isn't saying much. It is not light as if it were aluminum, etc.
gxseries, what bothers you? I have compared it to photograph of a known authentic and really don't see any difference. However, I am not an expert by any stretch. I will weigh and measure it tonight...
It's hard to describe except 1870 1 yen coin is known for high quality counterfeits. In genuine condition, it's worth several hundred to a thousand dollar. It would be really impressive for a friend to give it as a present.
And add to what gxseries said the fact that I have seen a couple of dozen of this supposedly rare coin in the past month or so. there are a LOT of fakes of this coin floating around.
MY Meiji 3 1870 1 Yen...Izzit Real? What Type? Face On in 2X2 Slight Oblique same 38.7mm; 27gm; LH spiral on pearl. Yes it has been cleaned, and the gray band O&R appears to be from a rubber band; both long ago. What have I got here, Gentlemen?
wow, can you give me such a great gift ? ha ha (a joke). you have a: Japan 1870 1 Yen (type 2) Krause catalog number- Y#5.2 ruler-Mutsuhito (Meiji) weight-26.9568 g. metal- .900 silver, mintage- ? values: Fine-$325.00 Very Fine-$500.00 Extra Fine-$700.00 Uncirculated-$1,000 I am no expert on these but I would guess your coin grades Extra Fine- About Uncirculated. wow what a great coin. I hope it is authentic. I would get a plastic airtite for that coin right away to protect it from being scatched. you might want it back after knowing how valueable it is ? wow what a great coin. send it in to be graded by PCGS or NGC. go to a large coin show in your state to show it to some foreign coin dealers to see what they say about it. let me know if you got it authenticated. thanks, Craig.
Where would YOU send it...and why? That has been my dilemma! I'm kinda scared to make that (my first) leap. I have just posted two Trade Dollars in World & Ancient...Please look at them before you recommend, eh?
Thanks for all the advice. I am going to assume it is fake because this morning I read about trying a magnet and it can be lifted with a refrigerator magnet. Thus I will let my son enjoy keeping it but won't have it checked unless some of you can tell me why it would be magnetic.
