A gorgeous gem mint-state example of the Japanese Yen from it's initial mintage period. Tied for top-pop, this coin is extraordinarily rare in MS66. Only 17 have been graded by NGC and only 24 by PCGS, with none finer.
This coin carries the Type 1 "Yen" symbol on the obverse and has the border around the inner sun on the reverse.
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.
