1906 Japan 10 Sen – Meiji 39, AU Details
The 1906 Japan 10 Sen, dated Meiji 39, is a classic silver coin from the final year of the long-running dragon 10 Sen design. Struck during the reign of Emperor Mutsuhito (Meiji), this issue represents the closing chapter of a type that had been produced since the 19th century.
The obverse features the iconic Japanese dragon surrounded by a beaded circle, with Japanese and English legends identifying the denomination and Meiji-era date. The reverse displays the 10 Sen denomination within an ornate wreath, topped by the imperial chrysanthemum crest.
Struck in .800 fine silver, the coin weighs approximately 2.70 grams and measures 17.6 mm in diameter. The 1906 (Meiji 39) issue had a mintage of 4,710,168 pieces, making it one of the lower-mintage dates of the series.
This example is graded AU Details by the grading service, with the accompanying comment “CLEANED.” The AU designation indicates that the coin retains substantial original detail with only limited evidence of circulation, while the Details designation indicates that its surfaces have been altered by cleaning and therefore do not receive a standard numerical grade.
Despite the cleaning, this is an appealing opportunity to own a late-Meiji Japanese silver coin featuring one of the most recognizable designs in Japanese numismatics. The 1906 date, silver composition, dragon motif, and historical connection to the end of the original 10 Sen design make it an excellent addition to a Japanese coin collection, Meiji-era collection, or world silver collection.
