1907–1912 Japan 10 Sen Silver Coin & 1941–1945 Invasion Currency XF–AU

Pearl Harbor, Tojo-Era Japan Set

While Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and Fascist Italy’s Benito Mussolini immediately come to mind on a list of the most hateful historical figures of the 20th century, their Japanese counterpart in the Axis flies somewhat under the radar. But it was General Hideki Tojo, as Minister of War and then Prime Minister of Japan, who initiated the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the United States into World War II.

Japan’s First Taste Of International Victory

This set includes a 10 Sen Japan legal-tender coin that likely circulated in Japan during the Pearl Harbor invasion. It was struck in 2.25 grams of 72% fine silver during the reign of Emperor Meiji—the first monarch of the Empire of Japan. Emperor Meiji, who became emperor of Japan in 1867 and ruled for 45 years until his death in 1912, was known for implementing a series of changes as rapid as they were ambitious, transforming Japan from a retrograde, isolationist state to an industrialized world power. It was during his reign that Japan defeated Russia in the 1904–1905 Russo-Japanese War fought over the two nation’s rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and the Korean Empire. It was also the first time in modern history that an Asian power defeated a European power.

The Rising Sun Of The Imperial Japanese Army

These 10 Sen coins are each more than 110 years old with a date-range that varies from 1907 to 1912 (date our choice). They feature cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums on the obverse, and the familiar sunburst emblem on the reverse. In Japanese culture, chrysanthemums symbolize royalty, longevity, and rejuvenation. In fact, the chrysanthemum is the Imperial Family Emblem. Cherry blossoms symbolize both birth & death, and beauty & violence. They are a central motif in the Japanese worship of nature and have traditionally represented the short-but-colorful life of the samurai—a warrior-like code that was embraced by Japan’s military leaders as they embarked upon a years-long conquest of their Pacific neighbors that began during the reign of Emperor Meiji and ended following Japan’s defeat in World War II. The sunburst, or rising sun, was originally used by feudal warlords in Japan during the Edo period from 1603–1868. It was adopted by the Meiji government as the war flag of the Imperial Japanese Army and naval ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. To this day, the Rising Sun flag and symbol is controversial in East Asia, especially South Korea, where it is associated with Japanese militarism.

The Short Life of Japan’s WWII Invasion Currency

Also included in this set are three Japanese Invasion Money Notes, dated 1941–1945, in Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (XF–AU) condition—printed by Japan to use in countries it conquered and occupied. As the Japanese Empire spread throughout Southeast Asia in the late 1930s and early 1940s, it confiscated all local hard currency, both on a federal and individual level, and then flooded each nation or colony it invaded with new circulating currency to help cement control. The notes all bore the name of the Imperial Japanese government, and some notes proclaimed the “PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND.” Even before it was defeated, Japan ordered its troops to destroy the bank records and any remaining currency prior to capitulation. In the aftermath of Japan’s defeat, the notes became worthless and were discarded en masse. Tons of it were destroyed after the war making them scarce and hard to find today.

Your Tojo-Era coin-and-currency set will come beautifully housed in a custom album. Hurry, quantities are limited, so make sure you order now so you don’t miss out!