Obverse

Reverse

1 Yen

Japanese 1 Yen Aluminum Coin

Japan (Japan Mint) · Showa 57 (1982)

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

Country: Japan (Japan Mint)
Year: Showa 57 (1982)
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.

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Overview

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

Historical significance

Introduced in 1955 (Showa 30), the aluminum one yen coin represents post-war Japan's economic recovery and industrial standardization. Because aluminum is so lightweight, the coin is famous for being able to float on water due to surface tension.

Obverse (front)

Features a large prominent numeral '1' in the center with Japanese text below indicating the year of issue, 'Showa 57th year' (昭和五十七年), framed by a simple border.

Reverse (back)

Features a young tree sapling design in the center, surrounded by the country name 'Nihon Koku' (日本国 - State of Japan) at the top and the denomination '1 Yen' (一円) at the bottom.

Estimated value

$0.25 to $2.00 depending on condition, as most modern years are very common and struck in high volume.

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade and specific year (key dates like Showa 64 are rarer, though 1982 is common).

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated to Mint State (AU/MS) with minor bag marks but full original luster.

Mintage & rarity

Common for this specific year (Showa 57 / 1982 had a high mintage in the hundreds of millions)

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Due to its very low face value and cheap aluminum composition, counterfeiting this coin is virtually non-existent in modern times.

Notable varieties & errors

No major significant mint errors or rare varieties are widely collected for this specific year.

Similar coins

Other denominations of Japanese aluminum or nickel coins from the Showa era, such as the 5 yen or 50 yen coins.

Care & preservation

Store in a dry environment in a PVC-free flip or capsule. Avoid touching with bare fingers as oils can corrode aluminum over time. Do not clean.

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Overview

Historical significance

Obverse (front)

Reverse (back)

Estimated value

What drives this coin's value

Grade assessment

Mintage & rarity

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Notable varieties & errors

Similar coins

Care & preservation

Other japan (japan mint) coins

Learn about Japanese 1 Yen Aluminum Coin in the encyclopedia