PMG Registry Featured Set: Complete Japan Set

With the “2020” Summer Olympics in Tokyo having just wrapped up, it is only fitting that we hop on a flight across the big blue to Japan for this month’s featured PMG Registry set. We present a unique and comprehensive Japan Complete, 1872-Date, P1-Date set by RedWolfWhiteEagle, which can be found here.

Japan, Bank of Japan ND (1957) 5,000 Yen graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Unc EPQ Click images to enlarge

You may ask: Why does this set begin specifically in 1872? With the coronation of Emperor Meiji in 1868, Japan began to undergo monumental economic, social and political changes. Meiji sought to westernize, modernize and strengthen Japan on many fronts. During the Meiji reign, the Japanese built their first railroad, established a telegraph network between all major cities, assembled a national army, created a cabinet government, penned a constitution and enacted universal education.

Along with these major moves toward national and economic security, Meiji implemented tax and monetary reform. With the New Currency Act of 1871, Japan abolished the utilization of feudal clan notes and implemented its first national currency, a decimal system based on the Yen, corresponding to 1.5 grams of gold. This act was a monumental building block in the foundation of Japan, now one of the most successful economies in the world.

The Japan “Complete” set category is the most extensive Japanese set in the PMG Registry. RedWolfWhiteEagle’s expansive collection of this historic currency should not be missed. He began assembling his collection in 2019 and has been carefully building his set to where he currently sits in first place atop 28 other participants.

Given a set covering such a wide expanse of time (108 notes over almost 150 years!), some collectors may be intimidated, but this collector reminds us that note collecting is about the journey, not the finish line. With colorful images and detailed descriptions for all 64 of his notes, RedWolfWhiteEagle offers us a true view of the evolution of Japanese currency. From the prevalent chrysanthemum blossom seal to Allied Military Currency and stylized modern commemoratives, his photos offer a lovely perspective of Japanese numismatic history. Be sure to check out his slideshow here.

Thank you, RedWolfWhiteEagle, for sharing your remarkable and unique collection with us. We appreciate your contributions to the PMG collecting community and look forward to all PMG Registry set additions you have planned next!

Would you like your set to be chosen for a future article? 100% completion in a set is not always feasible. Our team features sets with thoughtful comments and images for their set descriptions and notes. It may be your set! Stay tuned.

The PMG Registry is a free online platform where collectors register and display their certified notes and can compete against other collectors around the world for recognition and prizes. This popular resource now boasts over 16,000 registered sets and 81,000 registered notes. Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) is excited for the 2021 PMG Registry Awards, and we hope you are, too! Winners of PMG Registry Awards will receive a personalized plaque, an icon of recognition next to their PMG Registry set and a $500 PMG grading credit!

Questions or comments? The PMG Registry team is here to help. To learn more about the PMG Registry, click here.