1 sen coin

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One sen coins along with twelve other denominations were adopted by the Meiji government in an act signed on June 27, 1871.A. Piatt Andrew, Quarterly Journal of Economics, "The End of the Mexican Dollar", 18:3:321–356, 1904, p. 345 This new coinage gave Japan a western style decimal system based on units of yen, which were broken down into subsidiary currency of sen, and rin.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jv2Sh6mTKi4C&q=one+sen+coin+1873&pg=PA345|chapter=Brief History of Coinage Laws Since 1871|title=Annual Report of the Director of the United States Mint|publisher=United States Department of the Treasury|year=1899|page=345}}{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dHk9AAAAYAAJ&q=half+sen+1873&pg=PA983|chapter=Coinage at Home and Abroad|title=The Bankers' Magazine, and Statistical Register|author=Wm. Crosby and H.P. Nicholes|year=1873|volume=27|page=983}} The first coins minted were trial strikes or pattern coins, which are dated 1869 (year 2 of Meiji) and 1870 (year 3). No coins were struck for circulation right away as the technology to mass-produce the coins was poor at the time. Silver and gold coins were thus given priority as they were produced and distributed to the market before copper coinage could be carried out.{{cite web|url=https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/m001b.htm|title=1銭銅貨|work=Buntetsu|accessdate=October 16, 2020}} One sen coins were eventually introduced on August 29, 1873, via government notification. Each coin was authorized to be struck in an alloy of copper, weighs 110 grains (7.13g), and has a 1.10 inch diameter (27.9mm).{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6RlDAQAAIAAJ&q=1+sen+coin+98+copper&pg=PA745|title=The Japan Daily Mail|volume=4|year=1874|page=745}}{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i9YqAAAAYAAJ&q=%221+sen%22+weight+grains&pg=RA3-PA275|chapter=Monetary System of Japan|title=Report and Accompanying Documents of the United States Monetary Commission, Organized Under Joint Resolution of August 15, 1876|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|volume=2|year=1877|page=276}} Obverse features on the first one sen design include a dragon with the date of reign, and "1 sen" written in English. Reverse features include the value "1 sen" (written in Kanji) centered inside a wreath design. The Chrysanthemum seal is located at the top of the coin flanked by the words "100 for one yen" in Kanji. These coins were legal tender only up to the amount of 1 yen which was fixed by government regulations.{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GbgpAAAAYAAJ&q=one+sen+coin+1878&pg=PA2264|title=Commercial Notes|work=Monthly Summary of Commerce and Finance of the United States|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1900|page=2264}}

Production continued for a few years before it was stopped as no coins are dated from year 11 or 12 (1878 and 1879). It is theorized that the aftermath of the Satsuma Rebellion could have left an impact.{{cite web|url=http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/ryu_1sen_dou.htm|title=竜一銭銅貨|work=Pepper's Square|accessdate=October 16, 2020}} When production resumed in 1880 (year 13), the scales on the obverse dragon design were changed from a square to a V-shaped pattern.{{cite web|url=http://archives.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/user_data/upload/File/smallexhibition/H26-01.pdf|title=Shifting of Modern Currency|work=Yamaguchi Prefectural Archives|accessdate=October 16, 2020}} This slightly modified first one sen design continued to be minted until 1888 (year 21), when coinage was stopped due to mass production and a slight oversupply. As with several other denominations it's possible that non circulating one sen dragon coins were made again in 1892 (year 25) for display at the World's Columbian Exposition.{{efn|name=1892s|Several unique coins dated 1892 are known to have been produced to display at the World's Columbian Exposition.{{cite web|url=https://coins.ha.com/itm/japan/japan-meiji-gold-proof-10-yen-year-4-1871-pr66-cameo-ngc-/a/3056-30393.s|title=Japan: Meiji gold Proof 10 Yen Year 4 (1871) PR66 Cameo|work=Heritage Auctions|accessdate=August 19, 2020}} While there are no known existing examples of one sen coins dated 1892 (year 25), they are mentioned by Krause Publications.{{cite web|url=https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-17.2-yr.131880-yr.251892-cuid-1165900-duid-1449715|title=Japan Sen Y# 17.2 Yr.25(1892)|work=Numismatic Guaranty Corporation|accessdate=October 16, 2020}}}} The Japanese government officially switched to the gold standard on October 1, 1897, and new coinage laws were adopted.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ywR7HXjTU9QC&q=Japan%20gold%20standard%20October%201897|chapter=New Coinage law of Japan|title=Sound Currency|publisher=Sound Currency Committee of the Reform Club|year=1899|page=28 & 29}} Changes for the one sen coin included a reduction of copper content by 3%, while the weight and size of the coins were left the same as before.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QzcWAAAAYAAJ&q=%221%20sen%22%20coin|chapter=Law No. XVI of the 20th day of March of the 30th year of Meiji (1897)|title=Report on the Adoption of the Gold Standard in Japan|year=1899|pages=192–193 |last1=Ōkurashō |first1=Japan }} Both sides of the coin received a brand new design as some of the older elements were no longer viewed positively. The dragon on the obverse side in particular was removed due to the First Sino-Japanese War which lasted from 1894 to 1895.{{cite web|url=http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/ine_1sen_dou.htm|title=稲一銭青銅貨 (1898)|work=Pepper's Square|accessdate=October 16, 2020|archive-date=July 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722093131/http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/ine_1sen_dou.htm|url-status=dead}}{{efn|It was a practice of the Qing dynasty to honor the dragon.}} A rice stalk wreath was chosen to replace the dragon, while the reverse side of the coin received a sunburst design.{{cite web|url=https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/m001.htm|title=1銭青銅貨 (2)|publisher=www.buntetsu.net|language=Japanese|accessdate=March 28, 2018}}

One sen coins continued to be struck for circulation in the Meiji era until 1902 (year 35). While coins dated 1906 and 1909 (year 39 and 42) were struck, none were released for circulation.{{cite web|url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1843466|title=1 Sen, Japan, 1906|work=American Museum of Natural History|accessdate=October 18, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://coins.ha.com/itm/japan/japan-meiji-copper-proof-1-sen-year-39-1906-/a/3015-24295.s|title=Meiji copper Proof 1 Sen Year 39 (1906)|work=Heritage Auctions|accessdate=October 18, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/japan-sen-y-20-yr.311898-yr.421909-cuid-1202583-duid-1442470|title=Japan Sen Y# 20|work=Numismatic Guaranty Corporation|accessdate=August 3, 2018}} Although production resumed under Emperor Taishō in 1913, World War I broke out in the following year. This event brought Japan a booming economy which required an increase of small denomination coins. At the same time rising metal costs to produce one sen coins became an issue, and their large size had made them difficult to distribute.{{cite web|url=http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/kiri_1sen_seidou.htm|title=桐一銭青銅貨 Kiri 1 Sen (Bronze)|work=Pepper's Square|accessdate=October 18, 2020}} Pattern coins were made in 1915 and again in 1916 to test out a smaller design which debuted in the latter year. This new design features the paulownia coat of arms, is 23.03 mm in diameter, and weighs 3.75g.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K0c8AQAAIAAJ&q=Japan+1+sen+coin+1916+paulownia|title=A Review of Life and Progress in the Orient, Volume 1|publisher=The Herald of Asia|year=1916|page=35}} The paulownia design was controversial at the time and seen as a liberal democratic trend which was criticized by those in the right wing. One sen coins with this design continued to be produced until 1924 (year 13 of Taishō) without any additional changes.

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One sen coins were minted again during Emperor Shōwa's 2nd year of reign (1927) using the Taishō era paulownia design. Meanwhile, events around the world including the Great Depression were leading up to another world war. Japan was pushed into a militaristic regime by 1933, and started stockpiling nickel as war materials.{{cite book|title=New Revised Money Notebook, History and Collection Guide for Japanese Coins|author=Reiji Aoyama|publisher=Bonanza|year=1982|pages=192–193}} The Second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937 and a National Mobilization Law was declared in the following year.{{cite book|last=Pauer|first=Erich|year=1999|title=Japan's War Economy|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-415-15472-3|page=13}} This action suspended the coinage act of 1897 and allowed the Japanese government to issue temporary subsidiary coins without obtaining approval from the Imperial Diet.{{cite book|title=New Revised Money Notebook, History and Collection Guide for Japanese Coins|author=Reiji Aoyama|publisher=Bonanza|year=1982|pages=193–195}} New brass coins featuring a crow design on the obverse replaced the old copper paulownia coins on June 1, 1938.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tu1VY7zA5CQC&q=Japan+sen+coin+1938&pg=PA76|chapter=Money, Banking, and Credit|title=Civil Affairs Handbook: Taiwan (Formosa) Economic Supplement|author=Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (US Navy)|publisher=United States Department of the Navy|year=1944|page=76}} Brass was chosen as the previous composition contained tin which was a military-important metal not produced in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/1sen_oudou.htm|title=一銭黄銅貨（カラス1銭黄銅貨）Crow 1 Sen (Blass)|work=Pepper's Square|language=Japanese|accessdate=October 26, 2020}} The "crow" design with waves on the obverse, and eight ridge mirrors on the reverse was made by combining submissions from a public offering. On November 29, 1938, the act was revised and one sen coins were struck in aluminum as copper was needed for munitions.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xoWuOF3PLuoC&q=Japan+sen+coin+November+1938&pg=PA9-IA1|chapter=Japanese Mint Stamping New One Sen Coins|title=Far Eastern Financial Notes|publisher=U.S. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce|volume=1|year=1939|page=8}} The diameter of the one sen coin was reduced from 23 down to 17.6mm, while the weight dropped from 3.75 to 0.90 grams.{{cite web|url=https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/cmc001-2.htm|title=1銭アルミニウム貨|publisher=www.buntetsu.net|language=Japanese|accessdate=March 28, 2018}} Although the coins were now smaller and lighter, the crow and waves design did not change.{{cite web|url=http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/karasu_1sen_arumi.htm|title=カラス一銭アルミニウム貨 Karasu 1 Sen (Alminum)|work=Pepper's Square|language=Japanese|accessdate=October 26, 2020}}

By using aluminum, one sen coins were produced in large amounts as the alloy is naturally soft, did not require annealing, and extended the life of the dies. The design of the one sen coin changed again in 1941, featuring Mount Fuji on the reverse representing Hakkō ichiu.{{cite web|url=http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/fuji_1sen_arumi.htm|title=富士一銭アルミニウム貨 Fuji 1 Sen (Alminum)|work=Pepper's Square|language=Japanese|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ybTdCQAAQBAJ&q=Japan+sen+coin+1941+fuji&pg=PT152|title=Mount Fuji: Icon of Japan|author=H. Byron Earhart|publisher=Univ of South Carolina Press|year=2015|isbn=9781611171112}} The obverse side shows the character "ichi" or "one" representing the value of the coin. This feature was allegedly handwritten by Isao Kawada, who was the minister of finance at the time. The diameter of the coin was also reduced from 17.6 to 16mm while the weight dropped from 0.90 to 0.65 grams. In April 1943 the Japanese government announced plans to use tin in coinage as aluminum was needed for more aircraft.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=smwn2UxgD8YC&q=Japan+one+sen+coin+1941&pg=PA102|chapter=Currency and Money Transfers Currency Standard and Circulating Media|title=Civil Affairs Handbook|publisher=United States Army|year=1943|page=102}} This shift did not happen right away as one sen coins had their aluminum content dropped from 0.65 to 0.55g that year. However, as World War II dragged on the amount of available aluminum was eventually depleted.

Tin and zinc replaced aluminum for one sen coins when they were issued in March 1944. The final design used for these coins features a chrysanthemum crest with value on the obverse, and inscriptions on the reverse. Although tin was not an ideal choice for money as the metal is heat-sensitive and soft, the Japanese government had no alternatives.{{cite web|url=https://www.buntetsu.net/mbc/cmc001-3.htm|title=1銭錫貨|publisher=www.buntetsu.net|language=Japanese|accessdate=March 28, 2018}} Supplies of tin were available at the time from occupied Southeast Asia where the metal was abundantly produced. This remedy was temporary as one sen coins were forcefully discontinued in 1945 due to a depleted tin supply from naval blockades.{{cite web|url=http://pepper.cool.coocan.jp/round/1sen_suzuaen.htm|title=写真：昭和19年|work=Pepper's Square|language=Japanese|accessdate=October 27, 2020}} A last ditch attempt was made by making one sen coins out of porcelain in the final months of the war. These were never officially issued and were destroyed{{efn|One sen coins struck in porcelain as pattern coins were spared.}} afterwards. One sen coins were officially demonetized at the end of 1953 when the Japanese government passed a law abolishing subsidiary coinage in favor of the yen. By this time, excessive post-war inflation had made them redundant as they were rarely seen in circulation.{{cite web|url=https://www.boj.or.jp/announcements/education/oshiete/money/c24.htm/|title=1円未満のお金が使えなくなったのはいつからですか？|work=Bank of Japan|language=Japanese|accessdate=October 27, 2020}}

File:1sen-M6.jpg

File:1sen-M31.jpg

The following are circulation figures for one sen coins that were minted between the 6th, and 42nd year of Meiji's reign. The dates all begin with the Japanese symbol 明治 (Meiji), followed by the year of his reign the coin was minted. Each coin is read clockwise from right to left, so in the example used below "一十二" would read as "year 21" or 1888. Some of the mintages included cover more than one variety of a given coin.

• "Year" ← "Number representing year of reign" ← "Emperors name" (Ex: 年 ← 一十二 ← 治明 ← Top of coin facing self)

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File:1sen-T5.jpg

The following are circulation figures for one sen coins that were minted between the 2nd and 13th year of Taishō's reign. The dates all begin with the Japanese symbol 大正 (Taishō), followed by the year of his reign the coin was minted. Each coin is read clockwise from right to left, so in the example used below "二十" would read as "year 12" or 1923.

• "Year" ← "Number representing year of reign" ← "Emperors name" (Ex: 年 ← 二十 ← 正大 ← Top of coin facing self)

The following are circulation figures for one sen coins that were minted between the, and year of Emperor Shōwa's reign. The dates all begin with the Japanese symbol 昭和 (Shōwa), followed by the year of his reign the coin was minted. Each coin is read clockwise from right to left, so in the example used below "二十" would read as "year 12" or 1937. Coin patterns that include examples struck on porcelain are not included here as they were never issued for circulation.

• "Year" ← "Number representing year of reign" ← "Emperors name" (Ex: 年 ← 二十 ← 和昭 ← Top of coin facing self)

Five different designs were used during the Shōwa era for the 1 sen coin, not including pattern coins which were never intended for circulation. As the weight and sizes were changed frequently after 1937, these designs have been listed separate with their respective information.

The value of any given coin is determined by survivability rate and condition as collectors in general prefer uncleaned appealing coins. One sen coins with the dragon design (1873 to 1888) have two main key dates which are worth the most.{{cite web|url=https://kosen-kantei.jp/varity/1-sen-coin/|title=【保存版】1銭硬貨の買取価値はいくら？平均価格＆査定相場《全7種類》|work=Kosen Kanti|date=11 November 2019 |language=Japanese|accessdate=October 30, 2020}} The first key date are coins dated 1873 (year 3) given their low mintage, while the second and rarest key date of the series are coins from 1881 (year 14) with the "large 4" variety. The latter of the two features slightly different strokes inside the character "four" (四), which makes the inner right stroke look like an obtuse angle.{{cite web|url=https://antique-coin.info/kaitori/meiji-1sen/|title=大四竜1銭銅貨の見分け方|work=Antique Coin Info|date=29 March 2018 |language=Japanese|accessdate=November 13, 2020}} Copper subsidiary coinage including half sen, sen, and two sen coins all initially use a dragon design. All of these except one sen coins have two varieties made during 1877 as the scales were changed from a square to a "V" shape pattern. One sen coins received the change in 1880, and there is little difference in value when it comes to the design of the dragon's scales.{{cite web|url=https://coinquest.com/cgi-bin/cq/coins.pl?coin=9543|title=Japan 1/2, 1, and 2 Sen 1873 to 1892|work=Coin Quest|accessdate=October 30, 2020}} The next rice wreath design (1898 to 1915) spanned two imperial eras. In general, coins dated towards the end of the Meiji era (1898 to 1902) are worth slightly more than those made under Emperor Taishō. The most valuable of these coins are dated from 1900 and 1902 (year 33 and 35). Finally, one sen coins with the paulownia design (1916 to 1938) have a single key date with 1930 (year 5 of Shōwa). The one sen coin eventually received a crow design in 1938 and production increased until the series ended in 1945. Collecting these later dates remains affordable as there are plenty of surviving coins.

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