Album - Japan Type 1870 - 1970

The official "gin" (silver) mark was to indicate that the coin was intended to be traded overseas (usually China), so that it would not return to circulation in Japan. However, one yen silver coins without gin mark were also traded in China.
The chop mark was a trader's mark, indicating that the coin is silver (breaking through the surface to verify silver underneath). My year 13 has maybe a dozen chop marks from various merchants.
Although chop marks are coins damage, I find the chop marks themselves very interesting, rarer coins or better grade (except for chop mark) for cheaper prices.

 

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Something interesting to note is that the Japanese silver yen coin was meant to be a trade coin especially for use in Korea and Taiwan as they were literally Japanese colonies at that time. This is often countermarked with the 'gin' mark - Osaka on the left and Tokyo on right. This meant that the coins are demonitized and were never meant to be returned back to Japan.

In particular with the first Sino Japan, this financially drained Japan and thus the silver yen coin was demonitized in 1897. However as they are popular overseas, Japan mint continued to strike them even though they are not legal tender at home. So if you see any coins struck after 1897 and they are chopmarked and no gin countermark. These are clearly meant for overseas.

That took me a lot of research and understanding why the mintage numbers are all over the place.

 

The last gin mark 1 yen I have is 1896.

My missing 1 yen coins are: 1874, 1875, 1878, 1879, 1884, 1886, 1892 (4 spine). And 1874 & 1875 TD

What I have:1870 (Type 1 & 2), 1876 (TD), 1877 (TD, may be genuine), 1880, 1881(Osaka gin), 1882, 1883, 1885, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1889(Osaka gin) 1890, 1891, 1893 (3 spine), 1894, 1894 (gin, both Tokyo & Osaka), 1895, 1896, 1896 (Osaka gin), 1897, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1912, 1914

 

@gxseries: Your writeup on the chopmarks of Japanese one yen prompts me to want to do further research. I have about nine Silver One Yen coins spread between 1870 (Meiji 3) and 1914 (Taisho 3). Several have the Osaka mint mark. Only one has a chop mark along with an Osaka mint mark. You mentioned I believe that you can tell the origins of the chop mark. Is there a source for that claim? Also if one's coin has not chop mark and no mint mark - I have three- would the coin be a counterfeit or one that did not circulate? Again, thank you for your write-up.

 

Most 1 yen coins you can get in Japan don't have gin mark or chop marks, so the gin mark or chop has nothing to do with authenticity.
There's a book(s) or website(s) that have info on chop marks, and yes, you can identify some locations/traders by their chop marks.

 

Thank you very much. I will look for the website. You mentioned a book. Do you recall the title?

 

Dnas - this is a super counterfeit produced in the last 5-10 years. It is extremely difficult to tell the difference. Only real difference is the contrast as well as they are often artificially toned as they have an odd bright white colour to them. Edge does come in play if you can compare them

 

More info:
- Chopmarks by F.M. Rose.
- Chop Marks Brand Chinese Coins by Peter F. Hamilton.

 

Granted this one did not return to Japan (bought it in Maryland). I used it for my 'trade dollar' slot for years as I kind of figured it served 'trade' purposes. I'd say it's well chopped!

 

Great seeing you at the NYINC, Cathy. I like the journey this one yen coin has taken.

 

@Dnas: Thank you very much for posting the reference book. I will search E-Bay and Amazon for copies.

Domo,

John

 

No luck on the books on either E-Bay or Amazon. Will search elsewhere. Many thanks for these leads though.

 

I have this book! A signed copy...

I'm learning so much from the conversation here.
Thanks Dnas and gxseries!

 

Here they are, with chop marks:
M13:


M14. One very nice chop, just next to the Osaka gin mark.

 

Is that all one chop-mark then? The circular one and the one on the left of it?

 

The circular one is the "gin" (silver) mark, stamped on the coin by the mint, which identifies it as a coin to trade overseas. The chop mark is to the left.

 

Thank you.

 

My newest acquisition for my type album a Year 6 (1873) 5 Sen, I found this on eBay for under $5.00.

Obverse

Reverse

 

My newest acquisitions an 1874 and 1910 20 Sen courtesy of a small coin show I went to today.

 

If you really want a challenge, consider trying the modern Korean coin set. I purchased a partial one on Ebay a year ago and have made zero progress ever since, just due to the exorbitant pricing on the coins.