50 Sen - Meiji
Japan • 50 Sen • Silver (.800) (20% copper) • 1873–1905
- Denomination
- 50 Sen
- Issuer
- Japan
- Struck
- 1873–1905
- Composition
- Silver (.800) (20% copper)
- Currency
- Yen
- Weight
- 13.48 g
- Diameter
- 30.5 mm
- Catalog refs
- Y 25 · JNDA 01-14 · JC 09-14
Where to find one
Search for 50 Sen - Meiji on the marketplaces collectors use.
Listings from external marketplaces. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Where it came from
The 50 Sen coin of 1873 was issued during the early years of the Meiji Restoration, a period defined by Japan's rapid transition from a feudal shogunate to a modernized, industrialized nation. As part of the New Currency Act of 1871, the Japanese government sought to replace the complex, inconsistent coinage of the Edo period with a standardized decimal system modeled after Western currencies to facilitate international trade and demonstrate national sovereignty.
The design of the coin features a dragon motif, a symbol of the Japanese Emperor, encapsulated within a floral wreath. Produced at the Osaka Mint using state-of-the-art machinery imported from Britain, the coin represented a significant technical achievement for the era. While the intricate dragon design was widely admired for its artistry, these early Meiji silver coins were eventually pulled from circulation and melted in large quantities due to global silver fluctuations, making surviving examples of this specific year highly regarded among numismatists.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real coins collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About 50 Sen - Meiji
50 Sen - Meiji is a coin in the Coins catalog on collecto.rs. Japan • 50 Sen • Silver (.800) (20% copper) • 1873–1905. Catalog data is sourced from Numista. No collectors on collecto.rs publicly track this coin yet — adding yours would make you the first.
How many collectors track 50 Sen - Meiji on collecto.rs?
50 Sen - Meiji doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of 50 Sen - Meiji?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your coin, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other coins collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the 50 Sen - Meiji catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for 50 Sen - Meiji is sourced from Numista. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is tracking coins free on collecto.rs?
Yes. Tracking your coins is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every coin you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free