Coin Japan 20 Sen - Dragon - Meiji Year 4 - 1871 - Silver

Remarks:

Slight signs of wear.

This coin is a 20 sen coin, issued by Japan during the Meiji era. Dating from the 4th year of Meiji, corresponding to the year 1871 of the Gregorian calendar, it is minted in silver.

It has a face value of 20 sen, which is equivalent to 0.20 yen. The currency used at the time was the yen, which is still in use today.

The coin is made of silver with a fineness of 800?. It weighs 5 grams and its diameter is 24 millimeters. Its shape is round.

The Meiji era, which spanned from 1868 to 1912, is a crucial period in the history of Japan. It is characterized by an accelerated modernization of the country's political, economic and industrial structures. One of the major reforms is the transformation of the monetary system. Before 1871, a complex variety of regional currencies inherited from the shogunate made exchanges difficult. The monetary reform of 1871 introduced the yen, divided into 100 sen, following a decimal model inspired by Western nations.

The new imperial monetary system combines modern minting techniques with traditional Japanese symbols. The first silver issues feature a distinctive style: imperial dragons, bilingual inscriptions, and a balanced composition designed for both domestic circulation and international recognition of modern Japan.