2016-06-08 Wed

The Stephen Album Rare Coins’ Auction that was held from 19th to 21st May, sold a 1944 tin 10-sen Osaka Mint coin issued for the Japanese puppet government in the Dutch East Indies for a whopping $411.25.

During World War II, the Japanese military had taken control over the Netherlands East Indies which is a part of Indonesia today. Just a day after they attacked Pearl Harbour, they started encroaching the oil-rich land and by March 1942 they went on to control the entire area for the next 3.5 years.

Experts have stated that 1, 5 and 10 sen pieces were proposed in 1943 and 1944. 5- and 10-sen pieces were actually struck, out of which only some of them were circulated. Others were not because of Allied interdiction of the sea lanes. Many of these tin coins were lost or melted at the Osaka Mint. They are mostly found in Uncirculated condition but are sometimes damaged due to environmental conditions.

The auctioned coin had the date, 2604 in Arabic numerals based on the Japanese Shinto dynastic calendar along with the inscription ‘Dai Nippon’, which means “Great Japan.” The reverse showcases a native puppet.