Obverse

Reverse

1 Yen

1 Yen Aluminum Coin

Japan · Heisei 15 (2003)

A lightweight, silvery aluminum coin featuring a large numeral '1' on one side and a young tree sapling on the other.

Country: Japan
Year: Heisei 15 (2003)
Denomination: 1 Yen
Metal: 100% Aluminum

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified August 18, 2026More japan coins →

Explore 1 Yen Aluminum Coin in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Overview

A lightweight, silvery aluminum coin featuring a large numeral '1' on one side and a young tree sapling on the other.

Historical significance

First issued in 1955, the modern aluminum 1 yen coin is a staple of everyday Japanese currency and represents Japan's post-war economic recovery and stability.

Obverse (front)

Features a large numeral '1' in the center, surrounded by the denomination in Japanese text and the year of issue (Heisei 15, corresponding to 2003) at the top.

Reverse (back)

Features a young tree sapling design symbolizing growth, surrounded by the country name 'Nihon' (Japan) in Japanese kanji.

Estimated value

$0.01 - $0.25 (Face value to nominal collector value in circulated condition)

What drives this coin's value

Condition and specific year/mint date; most common dates carry only face value.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (minor surface wear and circulation marks, but full details intact)

Mintage & rarity

Common (tens of millions minted annually in this era)

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Due to its extremely low face value and cheap aluminum composition, counterfeiting is virtually non-existent.

Notable varieties & errors

Minor die varieties exist across different years, but no major high-value errors are common for this specific modern issue.

Similar coins

Other Japanese yen denominations, such as the 5 or 50 yen coins, though easily distinguished by size and central hole.

Care & preservation

Aluminum is soft and easily scratched; store in a dry holder and handle by the edges to prevent surface marks and oxidation.

Other japan coins

See all

50 Yen Coin

Japan · Shōwa 54 (1979 CE)

50 Yen

Japanese 10 Yen Coin (Byodo-in Temple)

Japan · Dates vary, but design is standard for coins from 1959 onwards. The specific year is written in Japanese era format on the reverse.

10 Yen

Japan 100 Yen Cherry Blossoms

Japan · 1967-Present (The specific year is located on the reverse side)

100 Japanese Yen

1 Yen (Showa)

Japan · 1955-1989 (Exact year on reverse)

1 Japanese Yen

Japanese Pachislo Token (White Palace)

Japan, Gaming Industry · Late 20th to Early 21st Century

No face value (Game Token)

Pachinko Token (Japanese Game Token)

Japan (Private Issue) · Late 20th Century (approx. 1970s - 1990s)

No face value (Token)