Bank of Japan 200 Yen Note (1945) - War, Chaos, and the Disappearance of a High-Value Banknote - Buying in All Conditions | GoldSilverJapan
Introduction | The All-Too-Short Life of the "200 Yen Note"
Looking back at the history of Japanese banknotes, many have supported people's lives for years, even decades.
However, there is one note that had an especially short lifespan.
That note is the Bank of Japan 200 Yen Note (1945).
At GoldSilverJapan,
we purchase these 200 yen notes regardless of their condition.
We appraise unused (UNC) notes, as well as used notes and notes with folds, wrinkles, or signs of aging.
Why was the 200 yen note created? The background to the creation of the 200 yen note was the unavoidable reality of war and economic collapse.
In the early 1940s, Japan was facing commodity shortages, inflation, and a devalued currency due to the prolonged war.

At the time, traditional banknotes like 10-yen and 50-yen notes were becoming increasingly unable to keep up with rapidly changing prices.

As a result, preparations were underway for a higher-denomination bill: the 200-yen note.

In fact, preparations had been underway since 1942. While the 200-yen note was issued in 1945, preparations actually began in 1942 (Showa 17).

Originally, the note was printed to combat inflation, maintain the financial system, and stabilize the wartime economy, and remained unused in bank deposits.

In other words, the 200-yen note existed for a long time, hidden from public view, as a "trump card for emergencies."

Issued on April 16, 1945 | But its fate was already sealed. The 200 yen note was finally officially issued on April 16, 1945.
However, at that time, Japan was in an extremely dire situation, suffering from air raids, supply shortages, and the end of the war drawing near.
The war ended in August of the same year.
And so, the Japanese economy entered a major postwar period of change.

The "currency reset" of the new yen: The postwar Japanese government implemented a "currency reset" to curb inflation and rebuild the economy.

This policy resulted in the rapid withdrawal of old banknotes, with many becoming invalid and disappearing from the market.

The 200 yen note was no exception, and was officially abolished on March 2, 1946.

It lasted just over 10 months after its issue. Such a short-lived high-value note is extremely rare in the history of Japanese banknotes.

A non-exchangeable note marked "convertible note."

The 200 yen note clearly states:

Convertible to 200 yen gold.

In other words, a "convertible note."

However, in reality, it was never exchanged for gold.

This was because the Japanese economy at the time was no longer able to maintain the gold standard.

This contradiction symbolizes the struggles of the Japanese economy during and after the war.

The "Origins of Japan" Embodied in the Design

The design of the 200 yen note is more than just decorative.

Front: Fujiwara Kamatari and Tanzan Shrine

Fujiwara Kamatari was a politician of the Asuka period who laid the foundation for the future prosperity of the Fujiwara clan.

Tanzan Shrine is known as the place where Prince Nakano Oe and Fujiwara Kamatari vowed to reform the nation.

This combination can be said to be a strong reflection of the concepts of "rebuilding the nation" and "returning to our roots."

Reverse: The Symbol of the Thirteen-Story Pagoda
The thirteen-story pagoda depicted on the reverse is a symbol of the Buddhist worldview and Japanese architecture.

The intention is to show culture and religion as spiritual pillars in a country devastated by war.

The 200 yen note retains its value regardless of its condition.

The condition of the note varies widely, from unused (UNC) to used, bent, and aged.

However, the intrinsic value of this note lies not just in its condition.

It lies in its background, historical role, and rarity as a lost high-value note.

For this reason,
GoldSilverJapan
purchases notes in all conditions.

GoldSilverJapan's purchasing policy and philosophy are clear:

We do not consider poor condition to be worthless.

When assessing notes, we consider their condition (UNC to used), paper quality and print integrity, market value, and whether or not to sell them in bulk.

* Serial numbers and issue block numbers are not evaluated.
* While prices vary depending on condition, we will never reject an item.

Why are more people considering selling now?

In recent years, 200 yen banknotes have reappeared on the market due to inheritance settlements, cleaning out family homes, and organizing collections.

Meanwhile, the aging Japanese banknote collector population

With the increase in overseas collectors, demand for dealers with specialized knowledge is on the rise.

Multiple banknotes and mixed conditions are no problem. Mixed unused and used notes. Conditions vary. Only one note remaining.

We can handle everything.

What GoldSilverJapan Aims
GoldSilverJapan is not simply a "store that buys at high prices."

We value the context, not just the numbers, to accurately convey Japan's monetary history.

Building long-term trust. This is the foundation of our purchasing service.

Summary | Buying Bank of Japan 200 Yen Notes (1945)

✅ We buy all conditions
✅ Serial numbers do not matter
✅ Used notes are also appraised
✅ A short-lived note symbolizing the history of Japanese paper money

📩 If you're looking to sell a Bank of Japan 200 yen note, please contact GoldSilverJapan.

📦 Photo appraisal and mail delivery available
🕰 We value history, regardless of condition.