ObverseImage: Wikimedia Commons · The government of the Empire of Japan. · Public domain
Meiji 10 Sen
Japan
1871–1912
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$5.09
Based on Silver spot price ($79.15/oz) · 80.0% purity · 2.5g
Updated 10:13 PM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Japan |
| Years Minted | 1871–1912 |
| Composition | 0.800 silver |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Diameter | 20.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
The obverse features a dragon in the center surrounded by Japanese characters indicating the value and era.
Reverse
The reverse displays the denomination '10 Sen' along with the year of issue in the Meiji era.
History & Notable Facts
The Meiji 10 Sen, struck in .800 fine silver and weighing about 2.7 grams, was one of the first coins to embody Japan's rapid shift to a decimal currency system in 1871.
This meant it replaced the chaotic mix of old feudal monies, helping standardize trade as the nation opened to the world. The obverse bore the imperial chrysanthemum crest, a no-nonsense design choice that signaled authority without flair.
Production occurred mainly at the Osaka mint, though exact figures are murky—fires and wars saw to that. Variations in die strikes make some years subtly different, but don't ask me to pinpoint rarities; I've seen too many fakes.
It's the coin that quietly paid for rice and sake, not parades.
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