Bank of Japan 1000 Yen "Expedient Specimen" Banknote, Showa 20 (1945), PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ | Pick #45s3・SB167s3J2. A rare sample banknote that tells the history of post-war Japanese finance | GoldSilverJapan

 The 1,000 yen "Expedient Specimen" banknote produced by the Bank of Japan in 1945 is extremely rare in the history of Japanese banknotes and is a special banknote indispensable when discussing the post-war financial history of Japan. This banknote is an official expedient note listed in the international catalog as **Pick #45s3 (SB167s3J2)**, and is not a banknote produced for regular circulation, but a special specimen banknote prepared for the management, research, and verification of the Bank of Japan and related institutions. The particular banknote presented here has received an extremely high rating of Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) from PMG (Paper Money Guaranty), one of the world's largest banknote grading organizations. Furthermore, the PMG comment states "Punch Hole Cancelled",** confirming that it is a genuine specimen banknote with the official perforation process indicating that it is an expedient note. According to PMG's population data, only a few of these Grade 65EPQ banknotes have been confirmed, and even higher grades are extremely rare, making this banknote one of the rarest in any collection of Japanese banknotes. GoldSilverJapan showcases rare banknotes from around the world, but this particular banknote holds a special place in history in all fields, including modern Japanese banknotes, the history of the Bank of Japan, post-war history, and sample banknote collection.

 The obverse design features the beautiful traditional design known as the Bank of Japan 1,000 yen note. On the right side is a portrait of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, a famous figure in Japanese history, symbolizing national dignity and traditional culture. On the left side is a depiction of shrine architecture, an important motif representing Japanese history and spiritual culture. The characters "1,000 yen" are prominently placed in the center, and the name of the Bank of Japan and the face value are beautifully printed in a traditional typeface. The entire banknote employs the elaborate intaglio printing and arabesque patterns inherited from before the war, completing an elegant and dignified design unique to Bank of Japan notes. The most distinctive feature of this particular note is the word "Sample" stamped in red on both the obverse and reverse sides, and the officially applied punch hole cancellation by the Bank of Japan. These are management processes applied to prevent general circulation and clearly distinguish it from regular banknotes. Furthermore, the serial number differs from that of regular circulating notes; it is a management number specifically for sample notes, indicating that it was managed internally by the Bank of Japan. The PMG label also clearly states "Ovpt. Red 'Mi-hon'", and this banknote is guaranteed by a third-party organization to be a genuine official sample.

 The reverse side features a very subdued color scheme and employs a well-balanced, symmetrical design typical of Japanese banknotes. The English text "1000 YEN" is placed in the center, ensuring international recognizability as a Japanese banknote. Large kanji characters for "円" (yen) and "千" (thousand) are prominently displayed on either side, surrounded by extremely intricate guilloché patterns and botanical motifs. The reverse side, like the front, bears a red "sample" stamp and perforations, making it immediately clear that it is a sample note not intended for general circulation. Such sample notes were typically produced for distribution to limited institutions such as the Printing Bureau, the Bank of Japan, relevant government ministries, foreign central banks, and printing companies, and were not intended for market circulation. Therefore, very few remain, with most being discarded or preserved in public institutions. Furthermore, this banknote has been assigned **Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ)** by the PMG, acknowledging that the paper quality remains completely original. EPQ designation means that no artificial processing such as cleaning or restoration has been performed, a highly important evaluation criterion in the premium banknote market. It is extremely rare to find a sample ticket that retains such beautiful paper quality.

 1945 was a turning point in Japanese history. Amidst the major social changes brought about by the end of World War II, the Bank of Japan was working to adapt to a new monetary system and financial management structure. The sample banknotes produced during this process were extremely important documents used for official issuance, management, education, and verification. Because these sample banknotes were not available to the general public and were strictly managed within the Bank of Japan and the Printing Bureau, the number that entered the market was very limited. In the history of postwar Japan's financial system reforms and the transition to the new yen, this banknote is important evidence that tells the story of that transitional period. Furthermore, sample Bank of Japan banknotes are highly valued not only in the domestic market but also by Japanese banknote collectors overseas. Sample banknotes from the pre-war and post-war transition periods, in particular, are a popular category that continues to fetch high prices in the auction market due to the small number of copies issued. In recent years, interest in Japanese historical materials and modern financial history has been growing globally, and the value of Bank of Japan sample banknotes has been increasing year by year. This banknote is not merely a banknote; it can be considered a valuable cultural artifact that conveys the history of the Japanese economy, the history of the Bank of Japan, and the history of post-war reconstruction.

 This particular banknote, a PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ, is in exceptionally good condition, highly valued in the global market. The "65" designation signifies an outstanding level of quality within the Gem Uncirculated category, with high levels of print clarity, paper quality, color reproduction, margins, and corner condition. **EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality)** is a special designation certifying that the original paper quality is perfectly preserved, indicating no restoration or cleaning has been performed. This particular banknote also bears the "Punch Hole Cancelled" comment, confirming that the perforation process is in accordance with the official sample banknote specifications. According to PMG's public data, the number of certified 65 EPQ banknotes is very small, and even higher grades are rare. This further demonstrates that this banknote is an exceptionally valuable collector's item in terms of both its condition and rarity. Sample banknotes are treated as a special category within Japanese banknotes, possessing a rarity value incomparable to regular circulation notes. Please note that the serial number shown in the image is for reference only and may differ from the actual banknote you receive.

 FAQ

 Q. Is this a regular banknote?
 A. No. It is an official "expedient specimen" banknote created by the Bank of Japan.

 Q. What year was it published?
 A. ND (1945, Showa 20).

 Q. What is the face value?
 A. It's 1000 yen.

 Q. What is the Pick number?
 A. Pick #45s3 (SB167s3J2).

 Q. What is the PMG grade?
 A. Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ.

 Q. What is EPQ?
 A. This stands for Exceptional Paper Quality, indicating an exceptionally good state of preservation where the original paper quality has been maintained.

 Q. What is Punch Hole Cancelled?
 A. This means that the coupon has undergone formal perforation to indicate that it is a sample coupon.

 Q. What does the red "sample" mark mean?
 A. This is an official mark stamped by the Bank of Japan on sample banknotes to prevent them from being circulated in the general public.

 Q. Who is depicted on the surface?
 A. It depicts Yamato Takeru no Mikoto.

 Q. Was this banknote actually put into circulation?
 A. No. These are sample tickets and are not for general sale.

 Q. Why are sample tickets so rare?
 A. Because distribution was limited and many were collected and discarded, very few remain.

 Q. Are sample banknotes from the Bank of Japan popular?
 A. Yes. It is extremely popular among collectors both domestically and internationally.

 Q. Is the serial number the same as the one in the image?
 A. They are not necessarily the same. Serial numbers differ for each individual unit.

 Q. Is it also valued as an investment?
 A. Rare PMG-certified sample vouchers are in high demand in the international market.

 Q. What is the greatest appeal of this banknote?
 A. Its rarity as an official sample banknote from the Bank of Japan, its deep connection to post-war Japanese financial history, and its high appraisal value of 65EPQ are its key features.

 Q. What types of banknotes does GoldSilverJapan handle?
 A. We offer a carefully selected collection of rare banknotes, sample notes, and historical banknotes from around the world, including Bank of Japan notes, all certified by PMG and PCGS.

 This includes items such as Japan Bank of Japan 1000 Yen Specimen, Pick 45s3, SB167s3J2, PMG 65 EPQ, Expedient Specimen, Mi-hon Note, Punch Hole Cancelled, Bank of Japan Sample Note, 1000 Yen Sample Banknote, Bank of Japan Note, Showa 20 (1945) Banknote, PMG Certified Banknote, GoldSilverJapan, etc.