1 rin coin

One rin coins were first minted in 1873 shortly after Japan adopted a new currency system under the Meiji Restoration.[2] The rin was the lowest denomination coin of this new system which was based around the yen. All one rin coins are made from a bronze alloy, and are five-eights of an inch (15.75mm) in diameter with a weight of fifteen grains (0.9g).[3] The rin was last minted for circulation in 1884, and were discontinued in 1892. According to a statement in "The Japan Daily Mail" given that year, one rin coins had become inconvenient due to their size.[4] One rin coins were also struck in 1892, but these were not placed into circulation causing them to become rare to collectors.

It was noted by 1904 that a rin was worth ​ ¹⁄₁₀ of a farthing or ​ ¹⁄₂₀ of an American penny.[5] These coins were eventually taken out of circulation at the end of 1953 when a new law that established one form of currency (yen) was enacted.[6]

One rin coin from 1873 (year 6)

Meiji

The following are circulation figures for the one rin coin, all of which were minted between the 6th, and 25th year of Meiji's reign. The dates all begin with the Japanese symbol 明治 (Meiji), followed by the year of his reign the coin was minted. Each coin is read clockwise from right to left, so in the example used below "七十" would read as "year 17" or 1884.

• "Year" ← "Number representing year of reign" ← "Emperors name" (Ex: 年 ← 七十 ← 治明)

Common dates for the one rin coin can usually be found online, and at pawn shops where prices vary depending on the condition of the coin.[9] The key date of the series is considered to be 1880 (year 13) as only 810 examples are known to have been struck.

According to NGC reports, it is unknown how many rin coins were struck in 1877 (year 10), the mintages had been low as it was for the previous year. While no coins were struck for circulation in 1892, some are known to have survived. An example in mint state condition sold at an auction held in 2011 for $63,250.00. (USD)[10]