This silver coin is the third release dedicated to the Modern Trade Dollar Collection, paying tribute to its ancient predecessor with a new design by artist Chiara Principe’s impression of what a modern Japanese trade dollar would look like. The coin’s design was inspired by the first silver Yen coin struck in 1870, a coiled dragon holding a tamashi, a treasured orb that contains supernatural powers; ancient legends tell that if a dragon loses its tamashi, its supernatural powers would be lost with it.

Following the end of Japan’s Shogun Era, the 15-year-old Emperor Meiji ascended to the Chrysanthemum throne in 1868 and Imperial Rule was then re-established. Japan then surged ahead with plans to modernize its economy and rebuild its trading and diplomatic connections with foreign nations to achieve economic expansion. Leading statesmen and scholars travel far and wide to represent the Emperor between 1871 and 1873, before the Japanese Trade Dollar itself was introduced in 1874. The Meiji Era became a key chapter in the story of Japan’s rise as an economic world power.

The reverse of the coin features a beautifully detailed dragon treasuring its tamashi as the iconic Kanagawa wave crashes below, with the islands of Japan standing proudly upon the globe in the background. Around above right is the inscription “TRADE DOLLAR”. Below right is the East India Company “EIC” mint mark. The obverse depicts the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark, country of issue, year of issue, and face value.

• Contains 1oz of 99.9% fine silver
• Limited mintage of 1,000 coins worldwide
• Third release in the Modern Trade Dollar Collection
• The coin is presented in a beautiful box, plus a Certificate of Authenticity