Silver Japanese Sen

[Greatday05]

I found this in my yard about 6 to 7 inches down. It is silver, 80%. I looked up the date codes and am still confused. The emperor was Meiji and was in power from 1868 to 1912. The date codes come in 1, 2, or 3 digits. The numbers tell the year of the emperor, such as 1 = 1868, and 2 = 1869. This coin has a 9, 10, and a 2. I'm not sure how this adds up. I am looking to read it left to right, 9 10 2. Unless it is 2 10 9. That would make it (2 * 10) + 9, or 29. If that is the case then it would be 1896. I am really unsure about the date and could really use some help because it is going to drive me CRAZY... lol... Got to love finding something cool in the side yard of my 1886 house. Also, what would this be worth? It did suffer a scrape from my digger. Thanks in advance!

 

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[Mackaydon]

Welcome to Treasure Net !!
I believe that design was issued during Meiji 6-38.
The coin on the right should be turned 180 degrees for proper alignment.
Here's some mintage figures. http://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces10945.html
Don.....

 

[Mackaydon]

PS to previous: To date your coin use this site:
World Coin Collecting: Reading Japanese Numbers and Dates
Don.....

 

[Greatday05]

Thanks Mackaydon! It is an 1896 silver Japanese coin. I just don't know how, being in such good shape, it got in my yard. Maybe a previous owner of the house threw it in the yard after Pearl Harbor as a way to show his disgust with Japan in the days of WWII? Pretty awesome though and thanks for your help!