![Empire of Japan, Meiji (明治) Era, 'Ryū' Yen, Y3. AU58 [WC2a-3] - Image 2](https://colonialcoins.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WC2A-3-1.jpg)
Description
Empire of Japan, Meiji (明治) era, Mutsuhito (睦仁), posthumously as Meiji, Emperor of Japan 1867-1912 AD, Silver Yen – ‘Ryū-ichi-en’ (龍一圓), Meiji Year 3 (1870 AD), Japan mint, Osaka. Obverse: Imperial Japanese Dragon, in the image of the great Ryūjin (龍神), coils around the pearl it holds in its three-clawed hand, all within inner beaded, Kanji legend surrounds with each segment read right to left: denomination “一圓” below, Imperial era and year “明治三年” and country “大日本” above. Reverse: Large radiant sun central representing the Sun Goddess Amaterasu Ōmikami (天照 大御神) within inner beaded border, Imperial Crest (16-petal Kikumon) flanked by two 5-7-5 Kirimon, representing the Prime Minister and Government, above, wreath of paulownia and chrysanthemum, tied below by ribbon, surrounds below. JNDA-01-09; KM Y-5.1. Certified and graded by PCGS as Almost Uncirculated 58. Boldly struck and idyllically toned, feels under graded as AU58.
