When I was in Japan in 1988-1989, a 1000 yen note was worth about US$6.00. However I was able to find coins for 1 yen (none in circulation) and other values similar to our coins. I asked ChatGPT about Japan's inflation from 1945 to 1950 and got this chart. It explains why the 1 yen coins are no longer available.
1945 ~ 51.1 % (see bracketed estimate)
Wikipedia
1946 ~ 364.5 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
1947 ~ 195.9 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
1948 ~ 165.5 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
1949 ~ 63.3 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
1950 ~ 18.2 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
I am sure that other countries have had similar circumstances and coins have become useless in trade.
From 1793 to 1857 the USA minted half-cent coins but they were discontinued. The penny is now following its smaller brother. I think that soon the nickle will/should follow suit.
Thank you for your story. It was quite interesting.
Wow, thank you for sharing this interesting information. I understand all the logic behind it. I just feel a bit sentimental about it and thought something like this shouldn't just disappear quietly into history.
Hello Helen,
When I was in Japan in 1988-1989, a 1000 yen note was worth about US$6.00. However I was able to find coins for 1 yen (none in circulation) and other values similar to our coins. I asked ChatGPT about Japan's inflation from 1945 to 1950 and got this chart. It explains why the 1 yen coins are no longer available.
1945 ~ 51.1 % (see bracketed estimate)
Wikipedia
1946 ~ 364.5 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
1947 ~ 195.9 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
1948 ~ 165.5 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
1949 ~ 63.3 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
1950 ~ 18.2 % (estimate)
Wikipedia
I am sure that other countries have had similar circumstances and coins have become useless in trade.
From 1793 to 1857 the USA minted half-cent coins but they were discontinued. The penny is now following its smaller brother. I think that soon the nickle will/should follow suit.
Thank you for your story. It was quite interesting.
Wow, thank you for sharing this interesting information. I understand all the logic behind it. I just feel a bit sentimental about it and thought something like this shouldn't just disappear quietly into history.
The US penny has been with us for just under 250 years. I wonder how I will feel when I am that old?
I am a little afraid to find out :)