Japan Silver 50 sen Emperor Meiji 1870 Y# 4 World Coin

Description

Country or authority: Japan

Year or date range: 1870 (Meiji 3)

Denomination: 50 sen

Composition: Proposed silver alloy: standard composition .800 silver, .200 copper; this specimen’s composition is untested.

Ruler or portrait: Emperor Meiji; dragon design rather than a ruler portrait.

Weight g: 12.63

Mint or mintmark: Japan Mint (attributed); no mintmark visible.

Catalogue references:  Y# 4

Obverse description: Coiled dragon with an orb within a beaded circle. Readable surrounding legend: 大日本 · 明治三年 · 五十錢, identifying Japan, Meiji year 3 and fifty sen.

Reverse description: Radiant sun within a beaded circle, surrounded by paulownia and chrysanthemum branches tied below. Chrysanthemum crest above, flanked by two paulownia emblems. No legend.

Description and condition notes: Uneven grey-brown toning, scattered scratches and surface marks, localized dark deposits and softened central dragon detail.