Meiji 1 Sen

The Meiji 1 Sen, issued in 1870, was Japan's first copper coin struck with imported Western minting presses, marking a abrupt shift from feudal currency to a decimal system. This coin abandoned traditional oblong shapes for a round form, complete with a rim and standardized weight, all to facilitate trade in a modernizing economy.

Details on its production remain sparse; records suggest it was minted at the newly established Osaka facility, using copper planchets that may have drawn from domestic sources, though exact origins are unclear. The obverse features a simplified dragon motif, symbolizing imperial authority, while the reverse lists the denomination in both Japanese and Arabic numerals—a practical nod to international commerce.

Some variants show weak strikes, likely due to novice operators fumbling with the machinery. As for myths about hidden treasures, let's just say I've seen enough fakes to know real ones don't come from attic finds.