A remarkable example of a Japanese Yen with the scarce "Gin" counterstamp. These are very difficult to come across in Mint State, as they were circulated, recalled, and then exported.
In 1897, the Japanese government switched to the gold standard and as a result recalled and demonetized all silver Yen. The "Gin" stamp was added to the recalled Yen by the Osaka Mint (if on the left) or the Tokyo Mint (if on the right), indicating that they were silver bullion and not legal tender within Japan.
