A gorgeous choice+ example of the Japanese Yen from it's initial mintage period, exhibiting a rich golden patina on the obverse and a frosty bright-white reverse.
This coin carries the Type 2 "Yen" symbol on the obverse, which has a longer left "leg" than the Type 1 varieties. As a whole, Type 2 are much rarer than their Type 1 counterparts: just over 10% of 1870 Yen graded by PCGS are of the Type 2 variety.
While the coin is dated Meiji 3 and indicated as 1870 by PCGS and NGC, these early Yen were actually minted between Meiji 3 and Meiji 5 and did not enter circulation until 1871.
