The following is a list of Japanese pattern coins from the yen based currency system started under the Meiji Restoration.A. Piatt Andrew, Quarterly Journal of Economics, "The End of the Mexican Dollar", 18:3:321–356, 1904, p. 345 The first patterns of the yen based system were made from 1869 to 1870 as presentation pieces to the Emperor. The new currency system was eventually adopted by the Meiji government in an Act signed on June 27, 1871. Pattern coins are almost never released into circulation as they are made for evaluation purposes only. Once a pattern is approved by government officials, it then goes to the minting process. Most of the patterns listed below are very rare, and sell for considerable amounts at auctions. The market value and rarity of any given coin is dependent on supply and demand.
Selected terminology
The following terms appear on the list below:
Legend(s) – In numismatic terminology "legends" refer to inscriptions on any given coin. Common inscriptions for these coins include; , the reigning Emperor's name (ex: 明治 Meiji), the value of the coin, and the year of the Emperor's reign.
Obverse/Reverse – These refer to the front (o) and back (r) side of a coin.
Struck/Strike – This is part of the minting process.
Variety – Coins struck with minor changes to their initial design are called "varieties".
Meiji Note: Early Japanese coins are read clockwise from right to left, while modern coins are read counterclockwise from right to left.
Early proposals
Denomination Year of reign Japanese date Gregorian date Name Description 1 Fun 02 2nd 二 (undated) 1869 (undated) KM-Pn2 The obverse (front) side of this coin has two crossed Japanese flags on poles with Mount Fuji in the background, while the reverse (back) side shows the coin's value. This pattern was struck in copper, and holed in the center. 5 Fun KM-Pn3 Obverse has two crossed Japanese flags on poles with Mount Fuji in the background, while the reverse shows the coin's value. This pattern was struck in copper, and is holed in the center. Only 2 coins have been certified as genuine by PCGS, while a 3rd resides in the Smithsonian Institution. 1 Momme KM-Pn4 Obverse has two crossed Japanese flags on poles with Mount Fuji in the background, while the reverse shows the coin's value. This pattern was struck in copper, and is holed in the center. An example sold for 182,000 (JPY) at auction in 2018.
Rin
Denomination Year of reign Japanese date Gregorian date Name Description 1 Rin 02 2nd 二 (undated) 1869 (undated) KM-Pn5 This pattern is holed in the middle with a sunburst design on both sides pointing outwards from the center. The Emperor's name is on the obverse, and "1 RIN" in Kanji on the reverse. The coin is described as "extremely rare" by Heritage Auctions. 1 Rin 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn7 The obverse features the Chrysanthemum seal in its center surrounded by the Emperor's name and legends. The reverse has a sunburst on it with the value "1 RIN" in Kanji. This coin is described as "very rare". 1 Rin 06 6th 六 1873 KM-Pn21 Virtually identical to the adopted Rin design, the main difference being "1 MIL" instead of "1 RIN" in arabic. This coin is described as "extremely rare" by the American Numismatic Society. 2 Rin 18 18th 八十 1885 KM-Pn27 Virtually identical to the adopted Rin design. The main differences include "2 RIN" instead of "1 RIN" in Arabic, and 2 lines (二) above the Japanese symbol for Rin (厘) on the reverse. This coin has been described as a "rare pattern" by Heritage Auctions. 5 Rin 32 32nd 二十三 1899 KM-Pn30 The obverse features a paulownia crest within a wreath above the chrysanthemum seal. The reverse has the value written in Kanji within a beaded circle. "5 RIN" is written in Arabic around this circle alongside other legends. This coin is described as "extremely rare" by Heritage Auctions. 5 Rin 39 39th 九十三 1906 KM-Pn33 Unknown design struck in copper. 5 Rin 42 42nd 二十四 1909 KM-Pn35 This pattern is virtually identical to the 1899 dated 5 rin pattern (KM-Pn30), except the reverted obverse has the chrysanthemum seal appear at the top. One example was donated to the ANS in 1983.
Sen
Denomination Year of reign Japanese date Gregorian date Name Description s – (Half sen) 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn8 The obverse is virtually identical to the adopted design, but " SEN" is written in Kanji (半銭). The reverse features a sunburst design in a beaded circle surrounded by legends next to the Chrysanthemum Seal above, and a decorative wreath below. These coins found their way into circulation making the few survivors well worn. 1 Sen 02 2nd 二 1869 KM-Pn6 The obverse is virtually identical to the 1st adopted design, but "1 SEN" is written in Kanji. The reverse features a sunburst design with the inscription written in Kanji. This coin is described as "very rare" by Heritage Auctions. 1 Sen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn9 The obverse of this pattern is the same as the preceding one, with a reverse similar to KM-Pn8. One of these coins sold for $15,600 (USD) at auction in March, 2019. 1 Sen 10 10th 十 1877 KM-PnA27 Not much is known about this pattern other than a dragon design which is featured on the obverse. This particular coin was minted in silver, while all the other sen coins of the Meiji era were struck in copper. 1 Sen 39 39th 九十三 1906 Unlisted Virtually identical to the adopted second "1 sen" design, this "extremely rare" coin was struck in aluminum. No "1 sen" coins were struck for circulation during this year, only a few known copper issues were struck as Proofs. 1 Sen 41 41st 一十四 1908 KM-Pn34 This pattern is holed in the center, with the obverse featuring a wreath and "1 SEN" written in Kanji. The reverse has a sunburst which surrounds the central hole, legends and "1 SEN" are written in Arabic around the sunburst. 1 Sen 44 44th 四十四 1911 KM-Pn36 The design for this copper coin is unknown. 1 Sen 44 44th 四十四 1911 KM-Pn37 Obverse features a wreath with "1 SEN" written in Kanji, while the reverse features a large sunburst with legends surrounding it. "1 SEN" is written in Arabic at the bottom. 5 Sen 21 21st 一十二 1888 KM-Pn28 Similar to the 4th adopted 5 sen design used in the following year (1889). This pattern is described as "extremely rare" by Heritage Auctions, and an example sold for $9,200 at auction in 2011. 5 Sen 28 28th 八十二 1895 KM-Pn29 This copper nickel pattern has a sunburst in a circle surrounded by legends and "5 SEN" written both in Arabic and Kanji on the obverse. The reverse meanwhile features a symbol within a wreath. Both sides of the coin additionally feature a rope design near the border rim.
Yen
Denomination Year of reign Japanese date Gregorian date Name Description 01 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn10 Almost nothing about this coin is known other than it's white metal alloy. The adoption of a yen coin would have made it the lowest ever valued in Yen. It was ultimately rejected in favor of the 5 sen coin. 02 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn11KM-Pn12 The design of this coin is unknown. Two varieties were struck, one in copper and the other in white metal. Both were rejected in favor of the 10 sen coin. 03 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn13KM-Pn14 The design of this coin is unknown. Two varieties were struck, one in copper and the other in white metal. While these coins were rejected, another proposal was made during the Taishō era for a 25 sen coin. 04 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn15 The obverse of this copper coin is virtually identical to the adopted 1st silver yen design. The reverse features a sunburst surrounded by a floral pattern towards the rim. The half yen coin was rejected in favor of the 50 sen coin. 05 1 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn16 Virtually identical to the adopted 1st silver yen design. “Only a handful of examples extant,” one such coin sold for $195,500 (USD) in 2011. 06 1 yen 06 6th 六 1873 KM-Pn22 Virtually identical to the adopted 2nd silver yen design. The main difference is "1873" written in Arabic below the reverse bow. 07 1 yen 07 7th 七 1874 KM-Pn23 Virtually identical to the adopted 2nd silver design. 08 1 yen 34 34th 四十三 1901 KM-Pn31 The obverse has a sunburst surrounded by a circle with legends around it, "1 YEN" is in Arabic. There is nothing on the reverse except 1 Yen written in Kanji. This coin was struck in copper. 09 1 yen 34 34th 四十三 1901 KM-Pn32 Obverse has the value written in Kanji within a wreath, and has a chrysanthemum seal located above. The reverse features a sunburst surrounded by a circle with legends around it which include "1 YEN" in Arabic. One example of this rare coin sold for $80,500 (USD) in 2011. 10 2 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn17 This rejected proposed pattern was struck in both gold and copper. While the gold design for this coin is unknown, at least one copper example survived with a design similar to KM-Pn15. 10 5 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn18 Struck in gold, design unknown. 11 5 yen 07 7th 七 1874 KM-Pn26 The obverse features a dragon with legends around the border, on the reverse is a sunburst crest superimposed on the sacred mirror within the wreath. The chrysanthemum seal is located above this design. 12 10 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn19 Virtually identical to the 1st adopted 10 yen design. An example of this coin sold for $276,000 (USD) in 2011, only 3 examples (total) are known. 13 10 yen 03 3rd 三 1870 KM-Pn20 Struck in gold, design unknown. This coin is possibly non-extant given the status of the previous pattern.
Trade dollars
Year of reign Japanese date Gregorian date Name Description 7th 七 1874 KM-Pn24 This pattern features the final accepted design used to strike trade dollars from 1875 to 1877. Very few of these coins are known. KM-Pn25 The obverse is similar to the adopted trade dollar design, but there is no beaded circle around the dragon. Other differences include "420 GRAINS. 900 FINE" being under the dragon rather than around the rim with "TRADE DOLLAR", and larger inscriptions. The reverse side is virtually identical to the adopted reverse design (Value within wreath, chrysanthemum above). This pattern is described as "very rare" as only a few pieces are known to have survived.
Taishō Note: Early Japanese coins are read clockwise from right to left, while modern coins are read counterclockwise from right to left.
Rin and Sen