Japan 5 Sen (Meiji Era)

Japan (Imperial Japanese Mint) · Meiji Year 25 (1892)

A vintage silver Japanese 5 sen coin featuring a large central numeral character on one side and the Imperial Chrysanthemum seal on the other.

Country: Japan (Imperial Japanese Mint)
Year: Meiji Year 25 (1892)
Denomination: 5 Sen
Metal: 80% Silver, 20% Copper

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 September 18, 2026More japan (imperial japanese mint) coins →

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Overview

A vintage silver Japanese 5 sen coin featuring a large central numeral character on one side and the Imperial Chrysanthemum seal on the other.

Historical significance

Issued during the Meiji period, a time of rapid modernization, industrialization, and monetary reform in Japan as the nation adopted a western-style decimal currency system.

Obverse (front)

Features the large denomination character '五' (Five) at the center enclosed by a beaded circle, with Japanese characters translating to 'Great Japan' and the regnal year 'Meiji 25' along the outer rim.

Reverse (back)

Features the prominent 16-petal Chrysanthemum seal (Imperial crest) at the center, flanked by two small dots, with the denomination written in English '5 SEN' and kanji characters '五銭' above.

Estimated value

$5-$15 in circulated condition; $25-$75+ in uncirculated condition

What drives this coin's value

Overall state of preservation, presence of original mint luster, absence of scratches or cleaning marks, and specific key-date years within the Meiji series.

Grade assessment

Fine to Very Fine (moderate even wear on the high points, clear legends and characters)

Mintage & rarity

Common to moderately scarce depending on the exact year; millions were minted during the Meiji era, but high-grade pieces are scarcer.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check the weight and dimensions precisely against specifications. Ensure the silver composition and reeded edge match genuine Meiji period strikes, and look out for modern cast counterfeits with soft details.

Notable varieties & errors

Various die rotation errors and minor differences in character strokes across different Meiji regnal years.

Similar coins

Other Japanese fractional silver sen coins of the Meiji period, such as the 10 sen or 20 sen, which share very similar design motifs but differ in size and weight.

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry place inside an archival-grade flip or holder. Never clean the coin, as harsh cleaning or wiping destroys original mint luster and severely reduces its numismatic value.