Japan: Meiji silver Pattern Yen Year 34 (1901) MS62 NGC,...

Description

One of Two Known 1901 Meiji Pattern Yen

Meiji silver Pattern Yen Year 34 (1901) MS62 NGC, KM-Pn32, JNDA-Unl., J&V-Q51 (Extremely Rare). Reduced size. An irrefutably rare Pattern that encapsulates a flashpoint in the Japanese monetary reformation unfolding at the turn of the century. At this time, Japan took on a reactive position in the global market to stabilize inflation and maintain standards. As part of measures taken, the Coinage Act of Meiji 30 cut the value of the silver Yen in half to bring their standard back in line with the market. Considering the approximate 4mm reduction of the current Pattern from the standard 38mm size of contemporary silver Yens and Trade Dollars, it is possible that this piece was intended as a test for reducing the size of the Yen in order to be more competitive against baser silver trade issues like the Mexican Dollar. Ultimately, no such coin was created for general circulation.

In line with the experimentation of sunburst designs seen in post-Meiji restoration silver Yens, the design at hand offers a new interpretation of earlier versions of that motif. Here, the rays of the sunburst are all congruent rather than oscillating in length, offering a more balanced and modernized feel. Alternating slices of matte and semi-Prooflike finishes lay underneath the rays, together creating an illusionistic whirling effect when the coin is rotated in hand. The piece bears a soft pewter tone, with devices rearticulated via charcoal silhouetting, particularly effective on the reverse wreath motif. Our piece does bear some indication of handling in the way of chatter but the expanses still wield an esteemed flash with no major impairment to the design.

This Norman Jacobs specimen is the only certified representative of this Pattern type. One other example is known to us, the Vermeule specimen that sold with Stack's in 2004 (Lot 915) for $19,000, one of the highest results in that sale. Since our offering of this piece in our 2011 Long Beach sale, which realized $80,500, neither specimen has appeared at public auction, making this a very important opportunity for collectors of modern Japanese rarities.

Ex. Dr. Norman Jacobs Collection (Heritage Auction 3015, September 2011, Lot 24359)

From the Peh Family Collection

Metal: Silver
Diameter: 34mm

存世僅兩枚明治一圓銀樣幣之一

明治三十四年（1901）一圓銀樣幣。MS62 NGC。
縮小版。這枚樣幣的稀罕程度毋庸置疑，見證了日本在世紀之交力推貨幣改革的努力。當時日本積極控制通漲及維持匯率以應對環球市場變化。日本政府推出了多項措施，其中之一便為明治三十年的鑄幣法令，將銀幣的價值減半以符合當時市場狀況。這枚樣幣的尺寸與當時標準三十八毫米的龍洋和貿易圓相比縮減了近四毫米，可能是為了測試縮小尺寸的銀幣在面對其他外國貿易銀幣如墨西哥鷹洋時，是否更有競爭優勢。然而，這批銀幣最終未有投入流通。

此幣的設計與其他明治維新後的銀圓一致，同樣帶有旭日圖案，但光芒綫長度一致而非長短不一，營造出更為平衡和摩登之感。而光芒綫下方則呈現出霧面與半精製交替的質感，在輕輕轉動時形成了銀光粼粼幻化的視覺效果。此幣另包覆著淡雅的白蠟色包漿，在木炭色的陰影襯托下圖文顯得分明銳利，背面的花飾尤其矚目。當前這幣雖見若干碰痕，但底板仍散發出飽滿光澤，對圖案影響微不足道。這枚出自諾曼雅各斯博士的例子是已評分的孤例。敝司於2011年的長灘拍賣曾以80,500元出售此幣，此後再無於公開拍賣中亮相，足證是次入手機會對於現代日本珍罕錢幣的收藏家而言實在千載難逢。

出自：諾曼雅格斯博士舊藏（2011年9月海瑞得拍賣#3015）
白家珍品集藏系列




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