Paulownia 1 Sen (Bronze)
桐一銭青銅貨

Year: Showa 13,　g,　mm

Data

Consumers price index in Meiji 30 was almost doubled compared with the index in Meiji 4 when former currency decree was promulgated. Taking this situation into consideration, Gold and silver coins issued in Meiji 30 under the new currency law were almost a half weight of the old ones. However, regarding the copper coins, the size of Rice 1 Sen was same as Dragon 1 Sen therefore its metal value is high compared to the face value.
Due to the inflation caused by WW-I in 1914, government have to supply a lot of low value coins, but Rice 1 Sen had too high metal value there the new copper base coins are issue. Government updated the Currency Law in Taisho 5 (1916) and new coin "Paulownia 1 Sen" was issued whose weight is almost a half of previous coin.
The design is the same as 5 rin, the face is "一銭"(1 Sen), Chrysanthemum blossoms and arabesque. the back is paulownia. The Chrysanthemum used in this coin is not imperial crest of Chrysanthemum but just a blossoms. It is said that the Conservative people complained on this new design.
This coin was issued for long period, 22 years and in quantity. It became one the most familiar coins ever issued. Since Japan started invasion to surrounding countries, it required the metal as a military supply and the issuance of this coin was terminated and change the material to aluminum.

Over 2.2 billion coins were issued for 23 years, common year with VF grade can be got for less than 100 yen. Even uncirculated one can be acquired for 1000 yen.
Showa 4 and 5 coins are rare and expensive, several thousand yen for common grade.

The size and weigh of this coin are similar to current 10 Yen (Bronze). I have ever find this coin in the change as 10 Yen.
As mentioned above, it issued in quantity, it is the 4th mass produced coin. No.1 of ranking is 10 Yen (Bronze), 2nd is 1 Yen (Aluminum), the 3rd is Mt. Fuji 1 Sen.

Released: Apr 25, 2022