Owner Comments:
The Japanese government conducted a series of auctions from 2005 through 2007 that included more than 30,000 gold coins, struck between 1870 and 1930, of 5, 10 and 20 Yen denominations. Each of the coins sold was encapsulated by the Ministry in a rigid plastic holder with a red core, each bearing a unique serial number that corresponds to its plate and lot number in the full-color auction catalogues.
They must be very popular because there were almost 2.4 million minted and still a lot out there... almost all in mint state. Nevertheless, they are being bid for aggressively. This one got my "final offer." Many of these coins were melted or destroyed as a result of the wars between 1931 and 1945, and so despite a really high mintage, and an apparently large population to collect from, enough hands want to hold them to keep them tough to get.
Fineness: 0.9000
Weight: 16.6666g
AGW: 0.4823oz
Melt Value: $857.72 (4/17/2021)
Obverse: Sunburst within mirror, 3 legends separated by cherry blossoms, date on bottom
Reverse: Value and denomination within wreath, chrysanthemum on top
Ruler: Yoshihito