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20 Yen - Taishō
| Issuer | Imperial Japanese Mint |
|---|---|
| Year | 1912-1920 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 16.67 g |
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| Reverse description | The reverse displays a radiant rising sun motif set within a decorative floral cartouche, evoking the national symbolism of Japan. The central sun device is surrounded by a circular legend rendered in kanji characters giving the issuing authority and the regnal year of issue, with the inscription separated at intervals by small paulownia flower seals. The overall design reflects the formal heraldic aesthetic characteristic of Taishō-era Japanese gold coinage, with finely milled borders framing the composition. |
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| Mint | Osaka Mint |
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| Additional information |
The Taishō 20 Yen was produced across a politically turbulent transition — Emperor Yoshihito ascended in 1912 as Japan was consolidating its position as an imperial power following the Russo-Japanese War and the annexation of Korea. The coin's eight-year production window masks extremely uneven annual mintages; certain dates are genuinely scarce while others saw heavy production driven by wartime economic expansion during Japan's participation in World War I.
The .900 fine specification was deliberately aligned with international gold standards to facilitate foreign trade settlement, particularly with European counterparts. Year 9 of Taishō (1920) coincides almost exactly with Japan's post-WWI deflationary crash.