The following is a list of Japanese pattern coins from the yen based currency system started under the

Meiji Restoration The , referred to at the time as the , and also known as the Meiji Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored practical imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Although there were ...

. The first patterns of the yen based system were made from 1869 to 1870 as presentation pieces to the Emperor. The new currency system was eventually adopted by the Meiji government in an Act signed on June 27, 1871. Pattern coins are almost never released into circulation as they are made for evaluation purposes only. Once a pattern is approved by government officials, it then goes to the minting process. Most of the patterns listed below are very rare, and sell for considerable amounts at auctions. The market value and rarity of any given coin is dependent on supply and demand.

Selected terminology

The following terms appear on the list below: Legend(s) - In numismatic terminology "legends" refer to inscriptions on any given coin. Common inscriptions for these coins include; , the reigning Emperor's name, the value of the coin, and the year of the Emperor's reign.
Obverse/Reverse - These refer to the front (o) and back (r) side of a coin. Variety - Coins struck with minor changes to their initial design are called "varieties".

Meiji

*''Note: Early Japanese coins are read clockwise from right to left, while modern coins are read counterclockwise from right to left.''

Early proposals

Rin

Sen

, - , 1 Sen , 2nd , 二 , 1869 , KM-Pn6 , The obverse is virtually identical to the 1st adopted design, but "1 SEN" is written in Kanji. The reverse features a sunburst design with the inscription written in Kanji. This coin is described as "very rare" by

Heritage Auctions Heritage Auctions is an American multi-national auction house based in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1976, Heritage is an auctioneer of numismatic collections, comics, fine art, books, luxury accessories, real estate, and memorabilia from film, mu ...

. , - , 1 Sen , 3rd , 三 , 1870 , KM-Pn9 , The obverse of this pattern is the same as the preceding one, with a reverse similar to KM-Pn8. One of these coins sold for $15,600 (USD) at auction in March, 2019. , - , 1 Sen , 10th , 十 , 1877 , KM-PnA27 , Not much is known about this pattern other than a dragon design which is featured on the obverse. This particular coin was minted in silver, while all the other sen coins of the Meiji era were struck in copper. , - , 1 Sen , 41st , 一十四 , 1908 , KM-Pn34 , This pattern is holed in the center, with the obverse featuring a wreath and "1 SEN" written in Kanji. The reverse has a sunburst which surrounds the central hole, legends and "1 SEN" are written in Arabic around the sunburst. , - , 1 Sen , 44th , 四十四 , 1911 , KM-Pn36 , The design for this copper coin is unknown. , - , 1 Sen , 44th , 四十四 , 1911 , KM-Pn37 , Obverse features a wreath with "1 SEN" written in Kanji, while the reverse features a large sunburst with legends surrounding it. "1 SEN" is written in Arabic at the bottom. , - , 5 Sen , 21st , 一十二 , 1888 , KM-Pn28 , Similar to the 4th adopted 5 sen design used in the following year (1889). This pattern is described as "extremely rare" by Heritage Auctions, and an example sold for $9,200 at auction in 2011. , - , 5 Sen , 28th , 八十二 , 1895 , KM-Pn29 , This copper nickel pattern has a sunburst in a circle surrounded by legends and "5 SEN" written both in Arabic and Kanji on the obverse. The reverse meanwhile features a symbol within a wreath. Both sides of the coin additionally feature a rope design near the border rim.

Yen

Trade dollars

Taishō

*''Note: Early Japanese coins are read clockwise from right to left, while modern coins are read counterclockwise from right to left.''

Rin and Sen

Shōwa

*''Note: Early Japanese coins (until 1945-1946) are read clockwise from right to left, while modern coins are read counterclockwise from right to left.''

Sen

Yen

Notes

References

{{Japanese currency and coinage Coins of Japan Numismatics 1871 introductions