2001 Japan 50 Yen, impaired proof The lady who sells pep drinks and snacks at the office is looking out for low-mintage Japanese coins for me. Today, she found what appeared at first glance to her to be a fake 50-yen coin. However, upon closer examination, I found that it was actually an impaired proof 50 yen coin from 2001 (Heisei year 13). According to the 2011 JNDA catalog, a 2001 proof 50 yen coin in undamaged condition has a retail value of 1500 yen, or about $18. Somehow, this coin was cut out of a Japanese proof set and put into circulation as an ordinary 50 yen coin (worth about 60 cents). It is unfortunate that this particular coin has been damaged, but still, it is the first time that I have seen a proof Japanese coin in circulation!
Thanks. I was quite surprised to see that coin, and I was happy to be able to trade for it even-steven. My most unusual circulation find in Japan to be sure. I wonder how many people in this forum have found proof coins in circulation? And speaking of impaired, I just noticed that I wrote "impaired roof" in the title. I must have been thinking of my neighborhood when I wrote that, because there were a lot of roofs around here that were impaired by the March 11 earthquake!
I found a clad US proof quarter in circulation once. At that point, it was damaged & ugly so I spent it. I think you can change roof to proof if you click edit post & go advanced within 24 hours of making the original post.
I found this silver impaired proof in change a few years ago. It's a mystery to me how such a coin made it into circulation.
