Obverse

Reverse

1 Yen

Japanese 1 Yen Aluminum Coin

Japan · Showa 49 (1974)

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

Country: Japan
Year: Showa 49 (1974)
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 September 18, 2026More japan coins →

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Overview

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

Historical significance

Introduced in 1955, the aluminum 1 yen coin is one of Japan's longest-running modern coin designs, representing post-war economic recovery and the stable contemporary currency system.

Obverse (front)

Features a large numeral '1' in the center with Japanese text below indicating the year of issue (Showa 49, which corresponds to 1974), surrounded by a plain border.

Reverse (back)

Features a young tree sapling representing growth, with the country name 'Nippon' (Japan) at the top and the denomination '1 Yen' at the bottom in kanji.

Estimated value

$0.25 to $2.00 depending on condition

What drives this coin's value

Condition and specific year of issue. Most standard dates are worth face value or a small collector premium only in uncirculated condition.

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (XF to AU) with minor surface hairlines and wear.

Mintage & rarity

Very common, hundreds of millions minted annually in this era

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeiting aluminum 1 yen coins is extremely rare because their face value is lower than the cost of production.

Notable varieties & errors

Occasional minor mint errors such as off-center strikes or die cracks, though scarce for this high-mintage modern series.

Similar coins

Other modern Japanese aluminum denomination coins such as the 5 yen or 50 yen, though differentiated easily by size, holes, and designs.

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry place. Due to the softness of aluminum, handle carefully by the edges to avoid scratching or denting.

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