50 Yen, Japan, 1872 (Pick 8)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1872
Issuing entity
JapanThis 50 Yen note was issued in Japan, dated 1872. It belongs to the Yen (1871-date) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Meiji (1867-1912). It measures 159 × 107 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 8.
Obverse: Black on lilac underprint. Vertical symmetrical design; two facing phoenix and dragons flanking Japanese text; blue Ministry of Finance seal at top left. Its lettering reads “五 五 / 拾 拾 / 省蔵大府政本日大 / 金 / 五 / 拾 / 圓 / 明 / 治 / 通 / 宝 / 五 五 / 拾 拾”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Fifty (x2) Great Japanese Government Ministry of Finance Fifty gold yen Fifty (x2)”. Reverse: Blue vertical symmetrical design; Ministry of Finance seals in orange and green; serial number in Japanese characters. Its lettering reads “〇五七八 ✶乙いい / 番 号 / 五 / 拾 / 政大 / 府日 / 内本 / 蔵帝 / 卿國 / 五 / 拾 / 番 号 / 〇五七八 ✶乙いい”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Number Fifty Finance Minister of the Imperial Government of Japan Fifty Number”.
The note was printed by Dondorf & Naumann, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (1850-1932). Design is credited to Edoardo Chiossone. Engraving is credited to Edoardo Chiossone. Issue date recorded in the catalogue: 13 August 1872. Demonetized: 31 December 1899. Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 2
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Meiji Tsūhō, the first Japanese banknote made with Western printing technology, were planned to be issued with the aim of reforming the monetary system and the substantial effect of the abolition of the feudal clans. They feature an elaborate design that was difficult to forge at the beginning as counterfeiting was previously rampant with clan notes. All arrivals from Germany were purposely left incomplete due to security reasons, the words "Meiji Tsūhō" and the seal of the Minister of Finance were added by the Imperial Printing Bureau first by hand and later by woodblock printing. Eventually enough Western technology was brought over to Japan that the Japanese government produced some notes domestically.
Physical characteristics
- Size
- 159 × 107 mm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Material
- Paper
Technical characteristics
- Printer
- Dondorf & Naumann, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (1850-1932)
- Currency
- Yen (1871-date)
- Designer
- Edoardo Chiossone
- Engraver
- Edoardo Chiossone
- Demonetized
- 31 December 1899
Design
- Obverse
- Black on lilac underprint. Vertical symmetrical design; two facing phoenix and dragons flanking Japanese text; blue Ministry of Finance seal at top left.
- Reverse
- Blue vertical symmetrical design; Ministry of Finance seals in orange and green; serial number in Japanese characters.
- Obverse lettering
- 五 五 / 拾 拾 / 省蔵大府政本日大 / 金 / 五 / 拾 / 圓 / 明 / 治 / 通 / 宝 / 五 五 / 拾 拾
- Reverse lettering
- 〇五七八 ✶乙いい / 番 号 / 五 / 拾 / 政大 / 府日 / 内本 / 蔵帝 / 卿國 / 五 / 拾 / 番 号 / 〇五七八 ✶乙いい
Identification
- Value
- 50 Yen
- Dates recorded
- 1872
- Distinguishing features
- Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
- Catalogue number to match
- Pick 8
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
- Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P8
- NumistaN# 266654
Research required
- Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.