Japanese Coin Collecting

If you are a coin collector, visiting japan is an opportunity to pick up some great souvenirs and even make a profit! Many tourists are excited to see the foreign currency and may decide to buy some of the Y=5 and Y=50 coins for themselves or as gifts for family and friends.

Japan has a rich history of coinage, with a variety of designs reflecting the country’s diverse social systems. In addition, the first catalogue of Japanese coins outside of Japan was published by renowned numismatist Kutsuki Masatsuna in the 1880s. This is one of the earliest titles and remains a valuable reference.

As the Yen is an international currency, it is used in many different countries and regions. This makes it easy to find the value of your Japanese coins and bills in your home country. However, sourcing the best specimens requires tact and careful research. Some of the most valuable are ancient pieces, such as a gold Oban coin dated circa 1588 that went for more than $2 million at auction in 2021.

The rare piece was minted during the Keicho and Genroku eras and features faint contact marks. It is also a proof coin with the mint mark “K” on both sides, showing the hallmarks of a top quality coin. In addition to the rare coins, there are many other interesting items to see, including pattern coins not issued for circulation, such as the 1 sen and 5 sen from the Showa era, which feature different designs from circulating coins.