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- Spot Silver Price: $30.01
Silver coins were in regular circulation in Japan. The values below represent the intrinsic value of silver coins from Japan.
Japan silver coins that are in uncirculated condition, or that may be rare and collectible may also have numismatic value. You can use this table as a guide when buying and selling circulated silver coins from Japan.
The melt values are calculated and displayed in USD based on the today's silver spot price of $30.01 per troy ounce.
| Denomination / Currency | Years Minted | Fineness | Gross Weight (g) | ASW (g) | ASW (oz t) | Melt Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sen | 1873- 1906 | .800 | 2.7 | 2.16 | .0694 | $2.08 |
| 10 Sen | 1907- 1917 | .720 | 2.25 | 1.62 | .0521 | $1.56 |
| 10 Sen | 1918- 1919 | .720 | 1.5 | 1.08 | .0347 | $1.04 |
| 20 Sen | 1873- 1905 | .800 | 5.39 | 4.31 | .1386 | $4.16 |
| 20 Sen | 1907- 1911 | .800 | 4.05 | 3.24 | .1042 | $3.13 |
| 50 Sen | 1873- 1905 | .800 | 13.48 | 10.78 | .3467 | $10.40 |
| 50 Sen | 1906- 1917 | .800 | 10.13 | 8.10 | .2605 | $7.82 |
| 50 Sen | 1922- 1938 | .720 | 4.95 | 3.56 | .1146 | $3.44 |
| 1 Yen | 1887- 1914 | .900 | 26.96 | 24.26 | .7801 | $23.41 |
| 100 Yen | 1957- 1966 | .600 | 4.8 | 2.88 | .0926 | $2.78 |
The history of silver coins in Japan is rich and spans several centuries, reflecting the country's evolving economic, political, and cultural landscapes.
During the Nara (710-794) and Heian (794-1185) periods, Japan's economy was primarily based on rice, but the use of metal coins began to gain prominence. The earliest known silver coinage in Japan dates back to the Wad? era (708-715), with the issuance of the Wad?kaichin coins, which were made primarily of copper but included some silver content.
The Kamakura (1185-1333) and Muromachi (1336-1573) periods saw limited use of coinage, with barter systems still prevalent. However, imported Chinese silver coins began to circulate, and these became an important part of the economy, especially in trade with China.
In the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603), Japan began to produce its own silver coins in significant quantities. The Tokugawa shogunate, established in the Edo period (1603-1868), standardized the monetary system and issued the Gin-sen (silver coins) alongside gold and copper coins. Notable silver coins from this era include the Ichibu-gin and Niibu-gin.
The Meiji Restoration in 1868 marked the beginning of modern Japan. The new government introduced the yen as the national currency in 1871, modeled after Western currencies. Silver coins became an integral part of this new system, with denominations such as the 1 yen, 50 sen, 20 sen, and 10 sen coins being minted in silver.
In the early 20th century, Japan moved towards a gold standard, and the use of silver in coinage declined. During World War II and the post-war period, the composition of coins shifted to base metals due to economic constraints.
Today, silver coins are no longer in general circulation in Japan, having been replaced by base metal coins and paper currency. However, silver coins are still minted for commemorative purposes and hold significant historical and numismatic value.