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.
