Dear Board, I am currently writing an article on the supposed Japanese 100-yen coin shortage caused by the Space Invaders arcade game during the late 1970s. Information on modern Japanese coinage in English is predictably very hard to come by. However, I believe the second edition of Michael Cummings Modern Japanese Coinage (1978) has some of the data I need. If possible, I would be very grateful to obtain a couple or so scans of what it has to say about the 100-yen denomination, for both the post-WWII silver issues (1957-1966) and copper-nickel cherry blossom series (1967-date), especially concerning the symbolism and other background info for each type. Normally I would consider just buying the book, but my time to finish the article is severely limited (the deadline is early December), due to concentrating on another article project which I have just finished. If anyone with Cummings' book can help, even if it be the 1st edition, I would be most appreciative to hear from you. The article, by the way, is intended for the January issue of World Coin News. Best regards, Mark Fox Michigan
Dear Board, Is there anyone who could give me some help with this research obstacle? Just thought I should ask again in case this post got buried. My thanks again in advance! Best regards, Mark Fox Michigan
Dear Board, A quick update. I just received a PDF from the ANA Library with the pages I needed from Cummings' book. What a relief! Nevertheless, I would like to thank anyone here who was possibly planning to offer their help. Best regards, Mark Fox Michigan
If the PDF had any information bearing on your subject, I guess the ANA has a different version of Mike's book than my signed copy.
I couldn't have helped even if I saw this in time but I do like the 100Y cu/ ni coins. The first couple years there were no mint sets and pristine examples are scarce and the next several years mint set mintages were quite small and the attrition high. Even as late as 1975 which saw high mint set mintages the attrition on these is near 100% because the packaging contains PVC which has destroyed the coins by now unless they were taken out and washed in acetone. From the little I can tell here in the US the coins are standing up well to circulation. I never see very heavily worn coins. The small size and the very hard metal are no doubt the reason for this.
Dear hontonai, cladking, & Lucy, hontonai --- Good to hear from you again! It was the second edition (1978). The information was very welcome because it provided a few details on the different 100¥ series, beyond just what Krause had. For instance, I now know that the designer of the copper-nickel series (1967-present) is Hiroo Miyazaki, although nothing more than that. He presumably was an engraver at Osaka? No, Cummings didn't have anything directly to say about the shortage, but all the same, I thought it would interest readers of my article if they knew something about the actual coins that were supposedly being drained from circulation. cladking--- Thank you for your interesting observations! It is always nice to hear from someone who has had some hands-on experience with the coins under discussion. Lucy--- Many thanks for the warm welcome! Sorry I didn't take the time to introduce myself on the boards, but time is not something I have a lot of right now, and anyway, I don't think I am the kind that is worth introducing. Best regards, Mark Fox Michigan
