Feel the pulse of the Meiji Restoration with the legendary "Meiji 3 Old 1 Yen Silver Coin."
Issued in 1870, this large silver coin is more than just currency; it symbolizes Japan's stepping into the world as a modern nation.

🗾 Product Overview
This old 1 yen silver coin was minted in 1870 (Meiji 3). During the transition from the Edo Shogunate to the Meiji government, Japan fully joined the international monetary system for the first time.
This silver coin represents Japan's first step, a historic coin that embodies its modernization and internationalization.

🔎 Key Features:
90% pure silver (.900) combines both bullion value and collectibility.

Intricate design by Meiji-era master craftsman Natsuo Kano.

Dragon motifs inspired by East Asian imperial culture.

Minted for foreign trade, these coins were distributed in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Southeast Asia.

Many coins feature "chop marks" (engraved) by merchants.

💎 Design Details
🐲 Obverse: Dragon and Meiji Year 3
A powerful Japanese dragon dances in the center.
Dragons have long symbolized power, wisdom, and nobility, and have been a symbol of emperors in East Asia.

The dragon is surrounded by the kanji characters:

Dai Nippon Meiji Year 3 (Dai Nippon Meiji Year 3)

The beaded border adds a finishing touch to the coin.

👉 This design was supervised by Natsuo Kano, a master of Japanese metalwork.

🌸 Reverse: Rising Sun, Chrysanthemum, and Paulownia Tree
The reverse features the following design:

Rising Sun: A ray-shaped crest symbolizing the Emperor

Chrysanthemum: The Imperial Family's crest (a 16-petal chrysanthemum)

Paulownia Flower: Symbolizes prosperity and virtue

🔘 Edge:
The jagged milled edge was used at the time to prevent coin re-minting (to prevent coin scraping).

📜 Historical Background and International Role
This 1 yen silver coin was Japan's first large Western-style silver coin, created as the country ended its isolation and entered the global economic sphere.

Made by the Osaka Mint (Japan Mint), its specifications were modeled after the Mexican 8 real silver coin.

The Mexican 8 real was the global standard currency at the time. Following this tradition ensures reliability in foreign trade.

In Hong Kong, China, and Southeast Asia, coins are used as actual payment currency, often stamped with a "chop mark" by merchants.

🧭 Recommended for:
✅ Those interested in the history of the early Meiji period
✅ Those fascinated by East Asian culture and dragon motifs
✅ Those looking for authentic silver coins that combine investment value and collectibility.