1870-1871 Japanese Meiji Era Silver 50 Sen Dragon Coin With Sunburst Motif - First Japanese Modern Coin Minted At The End Of Samurai Era I Monetized By Government Of Japan

The Meiji 50 Sen large type was among the earliest silver coins struck after Japan’s transition from a feudal economy to a modern monetary system. Issued in the third and fourth years of Emperor Meiji’s reign, these coins symbolize Japan’s embrace of Western-style coinage while still reflecting traditional Japanese motifs.

• Minted With European Technology, The Only Japanese Coin With Dragon And Sunburst Insignia Together On The Same Coin
• The Meiji 50 Sen large type was among the earliest silver coins struck after Japan’s transition from a feudal economy to a modern monetary system. Issued in the third and fourth years of Emperor Meiji’s reign, these coins symbolize Japan’s embrace of Western-style coinage while still reflecting traditional Japanese motifs.
• On the obverse, a fierce dragon coils within a beaded circle, representing strength and protection. The inscriptions identify the issuing nation, “Great Japan,” alongside the year of the Meiji era and the denomination of 50 sen. This design linked Japan’s imperial authority with a powerful mythological guardian.
• The reverse presents a radiant sunburst crest framed by a wreath, crowned with a chrysanthemum flanked by paulownia flowers. Together, these symbols emphasize the Emperor’s divine role and the enduring presence of the Imperial household, weaving traditional emblems into the new monetary system.
• Struck in .800 silver with a substantial weight of 12.5 grams, the coin demonstrates both artistry and economic ambition. It stands as a marker of the early Meiji reforms, when Japan sought to align itself with global standards while maintaining its cultural identity.