History
Meiji coinage (1870–1906)
Five sen coins were first struck towards the end of 1870 from a newly established mint in Osaka.[3][4] They were then held at the mint until the following year of issuance when they circulated alongside newly minted 1871 (year 4) dated coins.[5] Five sen coins along with twelve other denominations were adopted by the Meiji government in an act signed on June 27, 1871.[6] This new coinage gave Japan a western style decimal system based on units of yen, which were broken down into subsidiary currency of sen, and rin.[7][8] Five sen coins dated 1870 and 1871 (year 3 and 4 of Meiji) were initially authorized to be struck in .800 silver, weighs 19.3 grains (1.25g), and has a 15.5mm diameter (0.61 in).[9][10] The first design used is called rising sun dragon (旭日竜, Asahi Ryu), which had its features engraved by a commission of Japanese artists.[11] On the reverse side there is a paulownia decoration with a sunburst in the center along with the chrysanthemum seal up on top. This first dragon design turned out to be problematic as the thin small size of the coin meant that the dragon's features could not be fully struck.[5] An amendment to the currency act (Daijo-kan Declaration No. 74) was adopted in March 1872, which changed the dragon to a simple "五銭" (5 sen) design.[12] No changes were made to the weight or size of these coins when they were issued in 1872 (year 5) bearing the date from the prior year.[13]
In early 1873 (year 6), the currency act was amended again giving five sen coins a third design. The weight of the coin was raised from 19.3 to 20.8 grains (1.35g) as the face value of the former coins were not proportional to the 1 yen coin.[13] Five sen coins were also reduced in size from 15.5 to 15.2mm, this decision was unpopular as they were hard to use in commerce.[14][15][a] The dragon was restored to the obverse side of the coin as technical improvements from new British coin presses made a clear design.[16] Latin script reading "5 Sen" was introduced below the dragon for internationalization and foreigners.[10][15] The reverse side of the coin received a new paulownia wreath decoration, and the sunburst was replaced by the value written in Kanji. Production of the silver 5 sen coin continued until 1880 with the latter three years being dated 1877 (year 10).[16][17][18] During their final year a few coins were struck in proof dated 1880 (year 13) for exclusive use in presentation sets.[19] These coins were ultimately discontinued for circulation as their unpopular small size had caused them to become inconvenient.[16] Five sen silver coins were later struck in 1892 (year 25) to have non circulating examples to display at the World's Columbian Exposition.[20]
The Japanese government promulgated the "Additional Corrections to the Currency Regulations" (Royal Order No. 74) in November 1888 (year 21), and a new coin pattern was adopted. Cupronickel was chosen as a replacement for silver as Japan had an excess supply of copper at the time. As the coins lost their silver value, they were grouped with bronze coins which were only redeemable for up to a yen.[16][21] This coin is noteworthy for being the first made by Japanese engineers using technology licensed from the United Kingdom.[21] Five sen coins with the fourth design feature a large chrysanthemum seal on the obverse, and a large 五 (5) on the reverse. These coins are heavier and larger than their silver predecessors weighing 72 grains (4.67g) with a width of 20.6mm.[7][22] Although production began in 1889 (year 22), the simple design of the coin made them a target of counterfeiters.[7][22] These coins were only produced for 8 years as their fake counterparts eventually became "rampant".[22][23]
When the Japanese government went onto the gold standard in 1897 a new monetary law was enacted. The design of the 5 sen coin was made more elaborate with a rice wreath on the obverse, and a sunburst on the reverse.[24] This fifth and last design of the Meiji era would be the last time "5 Sen" was spelled out in Latin numerals. There were virtually no changes made to the size or weight of the coins which circulated concurrently with those of the older design.[22][23][24] Five sen coins with the rice wreath design were produced for circulation until 1905 (year 38). While coins were struck the following year, none were released for circulation.[25] The final 5 sen design used during the Meji era was noted for causing public confusion as it was similar to the concurrently circulating 20 sen design. The cupronickel bullion used was also too cheap for the coin's face value, and despite the design change was easy to forge.[26][27] Five sen coins were "practically wholly" withdrawn from circulation in the years that followed as cash currency became used for only petty transactions.[28]
Taishō coinage (1917–1923)
Five sen coins were re-established in 1916 when the 1897 monetary law was revised. Under Imperial ordinance 35 of March 30, 1916 a central hole of 4.2mm was specified for the coppernickel coins.[29] This measure reduced production costs, avoided any future 20 sen coin confusion, and was a deterrent to counterfeiters.[26][27] While there was no change in the 20.6mm width which had been used since 1889, the weight was reduced from 4.67 to 4.28 grams.[27][30] At least two different coin patterns were struck before a final design was finalized.[31][32] The chosen design features a chrysanthemum seal, and a bouquet of paulownia flowers on the obverse, while the reverse side uses Qinghai waves.[27] Production began the following year with coins dated 1917 (year 6 of Taishō's reign). Inflation caused by World War I at the time had led to an overall shortage of subsidiary coins. Silver coins were suspended during this time as the alloy price continued to rise and then settle after the war.[27][33] The Japanese government eventually decided to issue a coppernickel ten sen coin to save on costs. An issue arose as the size and design of the five sen coin was now virtually the same as the ten sen coin.[22][33][34] Focus was given on size rather than design as the two denominations needed to be balanced in proportion to their face value. Five sen coins were thus reduced in size from 20.6 to 19.09mm, the weight dropped from 4.28 to 2.63 grams, the central hole shrunk, and the coins became thinner.[35][36] When these coins were produced for the first time in 1920 (year 9), the redeemable limit was raised from 1 to 5 yen.[37] Five sen coins were eventually suspended at the end of 1923 (year 12) as large amounts of ten sen coins and small denomination banknotes were circulating by this time.[33]
Shōwa coinage (1932–1946)
The suspension of five sen coins outlasted Emperor Taishō and continued until 1932 (year 7 of Shōwa). Five sen coins were produced again due to the Mukden Incident and subsequent Japanese invasion of Manchuria.[33] These events caused a shortage in coins as the demand for military supplies led to a booming economy. Amendments were made in June 1932 regarding the coinage law, and were put into effect on July 1.[38] Copper-nickel coins from the Taishō era were brought back into production before the alloy and design were changed due to wartime conditions.[33] The 1897 coinage act was amended for a final time in 1933 (year 8) to implement these changes. The width of the coin dropped slightly by 0.1mm to 19mm, and the weight was increased from 2.63 to 2.80 grams. Input was solicited from the general public in order to base a pattern design for these coins.[39][40] The obverse features the chrysanthemum seal up on top with a kite bird below, while the reverse features eight magatama. Using a kite bird is symbolic here, as allegedly Emperor Jimmu used it to defeat his enemies in battle.[39] Nickel was chosen for an alloy as countries at the time including Japan were stockpiling it in preparation for war.[39][41][42] These pure nickel coins substituted the old copper-nickel coins starting on April 1, 1933.[43] Production continued for another four years before the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in July 1937. This event left an impact on how five sen coins were made for the rest of the series.
The National Mobilization Law was legislated in the Diet of Japan by Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe on March 24, 1938 to prepare the country for war. This action led to the promulgation of the "Temporary Currency Law" which came into effect on June 1, 1938.[44][45] It now became possible to change the material and purity of money without a resolution from the Imperial Diet.[44] An aluminium bronze alloy consisting of 95% copper and 5% aluminium replaced the nickel coins as the latter was needed for munitions.[44][45] Although nickel coins were produced dated 1938 (year 13), these were not distributed by the Bank of Japan. Almost the entire ten million mintage was re-melted to be used for the war effort per the newly established law.[46][47] The weight and size of five sen coins did not change when the alloy was switched.[44] Changes made included a new design again solicited from the general public, and a smaller central hole.[44] The design chosen features on the obverse a chrysanthemum seal up on top with the paulownia below, while the reverse has cherry blossom halves flanking both sides. These coins were only produced for two years before an increased wartime demand for copper caused an alloy change. Five sen coins were switched to a pure aluminum alloy on July 19, 1940 (year 15) by Royal Decree No. 476.[48] The size of the coins remained the same while the light aluminum alloy cut the weight of the coins by more than half from 2.80 to 1.20 grams. These coins feature a chrysanthemum seal on the obverse, and the mythical kite bird on the reverse (revised design from before).[49]
As the war situation grew worse the demand for aluminum rose as the metal was needed for aircraft. The weight of five sen coins was lowered from 1.2 to 1 gram on August 27, 1941 by Royal Decree No. 826.[50] Five sen coins by this time were valued at an American penny before the United States imposed an embargo.[45] The Pacific War began a little more than three months later which caused supplies to travel long distances. More aluminum was taken out of five sen coins on February 5, 1943 by Royal Decree No. 60. This action lowered the weight of the coin further from 1 to 0.80 grams as the metal became difficult to obtain.[51][52] The production of aluminum five sen coins stopped at the end of 1943 (year 18) as the shortage of supplies became extremely severe.[49] Another alloy was sought for coinage, and tin was chosen as the material was relatively easy to obtain from occupied territories in Southeast Asia.[49] Five sen coins using this alloy were enacted on March 8, 1944 by Royal Decree No. 388.[53] The decision was not made lightly as Tin was a strategic material which is unsuitable for monetary purposes as the metal is soft.[54] Five sen coins were reduced in size from 19 to 17mm, the weight was increased from 0.80 to 1.95 grams, and a central 4mm hole was added. The design for these coins simply feature a chrysanthemum seal and paulownia on the obverse, and inscriptions on the back.[55] Production started for a brief time before being discontinued due to allied air superiority and control over the seas.[54][56] Five sen notes were ultimately issued to bridge the gap as materials could no longer be secured for coins.[55] Unissued porcelain five sen pieces were also made, but were mostly destroyed when World War II ended.[55][56]
Five sen coins were brought back into production by the Japan Mint in September 1945. The initial plan was to use the design featured on the previous five sen aluminum coins. These coins were never released, and all of them were melted as permission was not granted by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.[57] Criticism fell upon the prewar design, and how the country's name read "大日本" (Dai Nippon, Japanese Empire) on the coins. The solution was to redesign the coin entirely and replace the name with "日本政府" (Nippon-koku, Government of Japan).[58][59] Tin was chosen again for an alloy as aluminum was below the coin's face value.[60] These final five sen coins are the same 17mm size as their predecessors, but weigh an even 2 grams (up from 1.95). The design features a chrysanthemum seal with a dove (symbol of peace) on the obverse, while the reverse has a large Latin numeral "5".[60][57] Issuance came on January 26, 1946 by royal order after the coins were approved.[61] These coins continued to be produced until supplies ran out sometime in 1946 (year 21).[57] Five sen coins were eventually demonetized at the end of 1953 when the Japanese government passed a law abolishing subsidiary coinage in favor of the yen.[2] Currencies of less than one yen were rarely used by this time due to excessive post-war inflation.[62]
