Question: I have a World War II issue Japanese coin that I would like to get information about. It is a 1941-1943 issue 1 sen piece. I would like to know the approximate value of this coin. I collect foreign coins and paper money. I have money from all over the world. Laotian, Caribbean, Asian, Bahamian, Canadian, Mexican, Korean, etc. I would like to know where I could find out more about foreign currency. Could you please assist me in obtaining more information relating to foreign monetary forms. I also have some paper money from different countries. I realize that most of what I have is just “pretty” or for the intrinsic value of the piece itself. I have no problem with that, and will continue to collect for just those purposes. But I am VERY interested in foreign currency, and would like to know more. Could you help me, please? Thank you.
The one sen are minted in aluminum and show Mt. Fuji with a “rising sun” on the obverse, a ribbon with Japanese characters on the reverse. The 1941-43 issues weigh .65 grams but there is a lighter version of the 1943 issue that weighs .55 grams and is noticeably thinner. The issue deteriorated further in 1944 when the composition was changed to tin-zinc. All these coins are interesting and were issued during a stressful period in Japanese history but their rare coin value is nonexistent. The 1945 issue is a souvenir issue only and is minted in reddish brown clay. That coin brings about $5 in the market.
You should find where the local coin club holds their periodic shows in your area. That’s a good place to meet other collectors, see coins and paper money, and buy books that will help you build some numismatic knowledge.
