| Slot: |
10 SEN 1872 MINISTRY OF FINANCE ISSUE P1 |
| Item: |
Japan / Constitutional Monarchy
10 Sen ND (1872) |
| Grade: |
PMG AU 58 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
8067074-001
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Meiji Tsuho-Satsu with facing Onagadori cockerels at top and two facing dragons at bottom.
Obverse Color: Black on pink underprint.
Reverse Color: Green
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Date of Issue: 1872
Printer: Dondorf and Naumann, Frankfurt, Germany.
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| Slot: |
20 SEN 1872 MINISTRY OF FINANCE ISSUE P2 |
| Item: |
Japan / Constitutional Monarchy
20 Sen ND (1872) |
| Grade: |
PMG AU 55 |
| Cert #: |
8051991-017
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Meiji Tsuho-Satsu with facing Onagadori cockerels at top and two facing dragons at bottom.
Obverse Color: Black on brown underprint.
Reverse Color: Blue
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Date of Issue: 1872
Printer: Dondorf and Naumann, Frankfurt, Germany.
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| Slot: |
50 SEN 1881-83 PAPER CURRENCY ISSUE P16 |
| Item: |
Japan / Constitutional Monarchy
50 Sen 1881 (ND 1883) |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 20 |
| Cert #: |
8063618-004
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-center. Black rosette on left, black with Crimson rosette on right
Obverse Color: Black on pink under-print.
Reverse: Guilloche pattern in center
Reverse Color: Grayish blue
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals on reverse
Date of Issue: 1881 (1882
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| Slot: |
1 YEN 1881-83 PAPER CURRENCY ISSUE P17 |
| Item: |
Japan / Constitutional Monarchy
1 Yen 1878 (ND 1881) |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 30 |
| Cert #: |
8081258-001
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Empress Jingu (169-269 AD) at right. Jingu's birth name was Okinaga-Tarashi, and that she was born sometime in 169 AD. Her father was named Okinaganosukune, and her mother Kazurakinotakanuka-hime. Her mother is noted for being a descendant of Amenohiboko, a legendary prince of Korea. At some point in time she wed Tarashinakahiko (or Tarashinakatsuhiko), who would later be known as Emperor Chuai and bore him one child under a now disputed set of events. Jingu would serve as "Empress consort" during Chuai's reign until his death in 200 AD. Jingu's reign is conventionally considered to have been from 201 to 269 AD, and was considered to be the 15th Japanese imperial ruler until the Meiji period. In 1881, Empress Jingu became the first woman to be featured on a Japanese banknote; but since no actual images of this legendary figure are known to exist, the representation of Jingu was artistically contrived by the engraver Edoardo Chiossone. He actually used a female employee of the Government Printing Bureau as a model.
Obverse Colors: Black on Tan under print
Reverse: Ornate guilloche rosette with denomination at center and two dragon flies at 3 and 9 o’clock of rosette, red seal at 1 o’clock of rosette
Reverse Colors: Light Slate Blue
Watermark: None
Artist: Edoardo Chiossone (1833 - 1898), (designed it in 1881).
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Date of first issue: 1881
Material: Cotton paper.
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| Slot: |
1 YEN 1885-86 CONVERTIBLE SILVER NOTE P22 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
1 Yen ND (1885) |
| Grade: |
PMG VF 35 |
| Cert #: |
2003800-005
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: The note measure 78mm X 135mm in size and was designed by Italian engraver Edoardo Chiossone (January 21, 1833 – April 11, 1898). In the center depicts a one yen silver coin with the imperial chrysanthemum. Over depicts the Japanese sun with its beams spelling out “one yen” in both Japanese and English. At right, Daikokuten (one of the Seven Gods of Fortune) originated from Mahakala, the Buddhist version of the Hindu deity Shiva, conflated with the native Shinto god Okuninushi, is shown seated on two sacks of rice and a carrying a third one over his left shoulder. In his right hand, the golden mallet called uchide no kozuchi (lit. "tap-appear little mallet", i.e. a mallet that strikes out anything the user desires). Three rats to the left of the rice sack, (mice and rats are a part of Daikokuten's iconography, due to Mahakala's association with Vaisrava?a (Bishamonten in Japanese). The English inscription NIPPON GINKO Promises to Pay the Bearer on Demand One Yen in Silver is printed in the center. On the left is the red seal of the Bank of Japan.
Design flaws with 1 yen Daikoku notes caused the series to only be printed and produced for a brief time. One of these defects involved the addition of "koniac powder" (starch from the konnyaku plant), to increase the strength of the bill. This powder wound up attracting rats and insects which would easily damage the bills by chewing on them. Another issue had to due with the "blue ink" in the watermark that was used to prevent counterfeiting. The ink used was mixed with white lead as a pigment which caused the notes to turn black when they reacted with hydrogen sulfide in hot spring areas. When the Japanese government adopted an official gold standard in 1897, the silver yen was abolished. 1 yen Daikoku notes were gradually withdrawn afterwards in exchange for subsidiary silver currency. The notes though were not suspended from issuance (de jure) until October 1, 1958 (year 33 of Showa). These notes are still legal tender today making them the oldest valid currency in Japan. They remain unused in circulation as their collector's value far exceeds their face value.
Obverse Color: Light and dark slate blue
Reverse: In the center a guilloche pattern with the value written in English, and counterfeit penalties written in Kanji. On the left is the red seal of the Director of the Treasury.
Reverse Color: Ochre orangeyellow
Issuer: Bank of Japan
Date of Issue: "May 1885" with one source specifically pointing to May 9, 1885. Newer sources such as the Bank of Japan website officially give a release date of September 8, 1885.
Security features: "blue ink" in the Japanese character watermark, that reads "Bank of Japan Note"
Printer: Bank of Japan
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| Slot: |
1 YEN 1889-91 CONVERTIBLE SILVER NOTE P26 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
1 Yen ND (1889) |
| Grade: |
PMG 66 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
8019330-041
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Portrait of Takenouchi no Sukune (84-367?) on right. Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Japanese character serial #.
Obverse Color: Black on light orange underprint.
Reverse: One Yen coin on left
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Reverse: Burnt Orange
Watermark: Leafy plant and vertical writing.
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| Slot: |
1 YEN 1916 CONVERTIBLE SILVER NOTE P30 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
1 Yen ND (1916) - Wmk: Leaves |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 |
| Cert #: |
8081259-001
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Portrait of Takenouchi no Sukune on right. Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Western character serial # below 200
Reverse: One Yen coin on left.
Main colours: Black and light orange underprint.
Watermark: Leafy plant vines and vertical writing.
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| Slot: |
5 YEN 1915-1917 CONVERTIBLE GOLD NOTE P35 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
5 Yen ND (1916) |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 |
| Cert #: |
8036490-011
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Portrait of Takenouchi no Sukune (84AD- unknown) a legendary Japanese hero-statesman of the 1st century on the right. Imperial Seal of Japan chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Ube shrine built in 638AD in left, round lime green and brown guilloche in center.
Obverse Color: Black on Light Yellowish Green underprint
Reverse: Large guilloche in center
Reverse Color: Brown
Issuer: Bank of Japan
Date of Issue: December 15 1916
Security features: Watermark grid and bank title
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Printer: Greater Japan Imperial Government Printing Bureau
Material: Cotton paper.
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| Slot: |
10 YEN 1915-1917 CONVERTIBLE GOLD NOTE P36 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
10 Yen ND (1915) |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 |
| Cert #: |
8069876-001
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Portrait of Wake no Kiyomaro (733 - 799) on left. Goou (Gooh) Jinja Shinto tutelary shrine (right), in Kyoto, where Wake no Kiyomaro was enshrined as Chinju (Tutelary Deity of Land).
Obverse Colors: Gray with Lilac and Orange floral designs.
Reverse: Sun symbol top center. With sides of leaves and cherry blossoms
Reverse Colors: Lime Green and Brown
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Issuer: Bank of Japan (Nippon Ginko).
Date of first issue: 1915
Material: Cotton paper.
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| Slot: |
5 YEN 1930-31 ND ISSUE P39 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
5 Yen SB935 ND (1930) |
| Grade: |
PMG 63 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
1869375-005
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Main prayer hall (haiden) of the Kitano Tenman-gu Shinto shrine (built in 947) in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, on left. The shrine was dedicated to Michizane. Green guilloche at center. Sugawara no Michizane on right (August 1, 845 – March 26, 903). Stylized Japanese plum blossoms (Ume) and Sumire, Fuji Dawn (Viola mandshurica) violet plants (in green).
Obverse Colors: Black on green and orange underprint.
Reverse: Sun symbol top center. Denomination '5" within stylised Ume blossom rosette.
Reverse Colors: Brown and olive.
Watermark: None
Artist: Edoardo Chiossone (1833 - 1898), (designed it in 1888).
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Issuer: Bank of Japan (Nippon Ginko).
Date of first issue: 1930
Material: Cotton paper.
Printer: Printing Bureau of the Japanese Government (Dainihonteikoku seifunaikaku insatsukyoku seizou).
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| Slot: |
10 YEN 1930-31 ND ISSUE P40 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
10 Yen ND (1930) |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
8015657-024
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Kiji, the Green Pheasant (Phasianus versicolor), Japan's national bird. Portrait of Wake no Kiyomaro (733 - 799) on right.
Obverse Colors: Black on Olive Green and brown under-print
Reverse: Sun symbol top center. Goou (Gooh) Jinja Shinto tutelary shrine (center), in Kyoto, where Wake no Kiyomaro was enshrined as Chinju (Tutelary Deity of Land).
Reverse Colors: Green and Brown.
Watermark: None
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Artist: Unknown
Issuer: Bank of Japan (Nippon Ginko).
Date of first issue: 1930
Material: Cotton paper.
Printer: Printing Bureau of the Japanese Government (Naikaku insatsukyoku seizou).
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| Slot: |
20 YEN 1930-31 ND ISSUE P41 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
20 Yen ND (1931) |
| Grade: |
PMG 64 |
| Cert #: |
8062790-011
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Pagoda of Danzan Shrine (1532)in Sakurai-shi, Nara ken. on left. Fujiwara no Kamatari (614-669) on right.
Obverse Colors: Black on green underprint.
Reverse: Danzan Shrine (built in 678) in Sakurai-shi, Nara ken. on left. Japanese text with denomination in English.
Reverse Colors: Blue and brown
Watermark: None
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Issuer: Bank of Japan (Nippon Ginko).
Date of first issue: 1931
Material: Cotton paper.
Printer: Printing Bureau of the Japanese Government (Naikaku insatsukyoku seizou
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| Slot: |
5 YEN 1942 ISSUE P43 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
5 Yen ND (1942) |
| Grade: |
PMG 66 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
1780516-009
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Main prayer hall (haiden) of the Kitano Tenman-gu Shinto shrine (built in 947) in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto. The shrine was dedicated to Michizane. Sugawara no Michizane (845 - 903).
Obverse Colors: Black on Green and Orange underprint.
Reverse: Sun symbol top center
Reverse Colors: Red-Brown and Lilac.
Watermark: Flowery ornamental design.
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Artist: Edoardo Chiossone (1833 - 1898) (designed it in 1888).
Issuer: Bank of Japan (Nippon Ginko).
Date of first issue: 1930
Material: Cotton paper.
Printer: Printing Bureau of the Japanese Government (Naikaku insatsukyoku seizou).
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| Slot: |
200 YEN 1945 ISSUE P43A |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
200 Yen SB166 ND (1945) |
| Grade: |
PMG AU 55 |
| Cert #: |
2309360-005
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Portrait of Takenouchi no Sukune (84AD- unknown) a legendary Japanese hero-statesman of the 1st century on the right. Imperial Seal of Japan chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. guilloche in center, guilloche on the left.
Obverse Color: Black on pale blue underprint.
Reverse: Large guilloche in center
Reverse Color: Red
Issuer: Bank of Japan
Date of Issue: 1945
Security features: Watermark of bank logo.
Signatures: Imperial Treasury red signature seals.
Printer: Greater Japan Imperial Government Printing Bureau
Material: Cotton paper.
|
| Slot: |
200 YEN 1945 ISSUE P44 |
| Item: |
Japan, Bank of Japan
200 Yen SB163 ND (1945) |
| Grade: |
PMG 65 EPQ |
| Cert #: |
1865203-077
|
Owner Comments
Obverse: Imperial Seal of Japan-chrysanthemum blossom (kikukamon)-top center. Danzan Shrine (built in 678) in Sakurai-shi, Nara ken. on left. Fujiwara no Kamatari (614-669) on right.
Obverse Color: Black on Lilac and green underprint.
Reverse: Sun symbol top center. Pagoda of Danzan Shrine (1532) in center
Reverse Color: Blue on Lilac
Issuer: Nippon Ginko Da Kan Gin Ken / Bank of Japan
Date of Issue: 1945
|