1/2 Sen (Copper)
半銭銅貨

Picture: Meiji 20(1887)　3.53g, 22.00mm

Data

Issued / Banned: Meiji 7(1874) / Showa 28(1953)
Manufacturing Period:　Meiji 6(1873) - 21(1888)
Number of Mintage: 395,552,952
Material:　Copper:980　Tin:10　Zinc:10
Diameter:　21.818mm
Weight:　3.564g
Design: Face - Chrysanthemum crest, twigs of chrysanthemum and paulownia/ Back - Dragon ("UnRyu", closed mouth dragon)

This coin was issued base on the new currency decree promulgated in Meiji 4 , "Shinka Jorei", where this coin was stipulated as one of subsidiary coins like Dragon 1 Sen (Copper) and 1 Rin (Copper). Pattern coin was prepared in Meiji 6 with a different design, but the government gage a priority to silver coins so this coin was prepared in Meiji6 and published in Meiji 7.
The design of the first pattern coin was changed, which is similar to the silver coins (5 sen, 10 Sen, 20 Sen , 50 Sen) issued in 187, but there is a little bit difference, for example, the dragon sees right and use "un-ryu", the dragon with close mouth. The dragon in the silver coins see left and open its mouth ("a-ryu").
There exits two variants, same as Ryu 1 sen and 2 Sen. The shapes of dragon scale are different. One is square and the other is wave-like (In the picture in this page).
Issuance ended in Meiji 21 since sufficient amount were circulated. New coinage law was promulgated in Meiji 30 and new coin (5 rin) was specified, however, the coin of this face value were not supplied. Successor of this coi , 5 rin (Bronze) was issued in Taisho 5.

This coin is over 100 years old, however, non-specific year with fair condition can be purchased for 1 or 2 hundred yen. Meiji 10 square scale dragon and Meiji 12 coin is very rare and expensive.
Not circulated, but Meiji 25 coin seems to exist, minted as pattern coins or for the international exhibition.
"二百枚換一圓" in the face means "200 coins for 1 yen" and it would be a copy of American coin in those days.

The design of this coin is same as other copper coins (Dragon 1 Sen, and 2 Sen), and also similar size and color to 10 yen of Japan now circulated.
It is called han-sen (Half Sen) in Japanese. This is the only "han-sen" in Japanese coins since the successor is stipulated as "5 Rin", even the values are same.

Released: Apr 15, 2022