Crow 1 Sen (Aluminum)
カラス一銭アルミニウム貨

Year: Showa 15,　0.91 g,　17.4 mm

Data

Issued / Banned: Showa 13 (1938) / Showa 28 (1953)
Manufacturing Period: Showa 13 (1938) - Showa 15 (1940)
Number of Mintage: 1,092,160,000
Material:　Aluminum:1000
Diameter:　17.50 mm
Weight:　0.90 g
Design: Face - Crest of chrysanthemum and paulownia, Octagonal mirror, Ocean wave / Back - Cherry blossom and "Yatagarasu" (Sacred Crow)

In order to secure copper for the war against China, Crow 1 Sen (Brass) was switched to this coin, made from aluminum.Aluminum is very important metal for the airplane, however, Japanese military could not be aware of the importance of aluminum which are utilized for airplanes at this moment.
Compared to the previous 1 Sen Brass, the material is changed and the size is reduce. However, the same design as Crow 1 Sen (Brass) is used.
This is the first coin made from aluminum. Processing the copper or silver alloy plate to the disks, anearing (heat up and cooling gradually) is required for copper or silver alloy while aluminum doesn't require the precess, which gives high productivity of coins.
Aluminum gives high productivity of coins.Over 1 billion coins were produced only for 3 hears.
WW II occurred in 1939 and Germany caused France and Netherland to surrender. They had some colonial countries in south east asia and Japan tried to have power over these countries. More airplanes were required and aluminum shall be secured for the production of airplanes.
Under such situation, 1 Sen was updated to Mt. Fuji 1 Sen which has less aluminum.

Large amount of coins were issued in 3 years. Basically this coin is common and is worth less than 100 yen.
One famous variant in Showa 14 is a little bit rare. The letter type of 四 (four) in 14 is different.

Similar to the 1 Yen (Aluminum) in size and material.
A War usually causes the inflation of economic. It spoils the productivity of economical activity and government often have to issue a lot of currency, and also small value coins. Aluminum coins would be suitable in wartime.

Released: Apr 30, 2022