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History is often reflected in coins and currency.  From the fractional currency of the American Civil War to modern commemorative coinage, each reflects the fortunes and values of the issuing country.  An excellent example is Japan's 1 Sen coin which changed several times as the tide of war turned against the Japanese Empire.

-1938
At the outbreak of WWII Japan was issuing the same 1 Sen coin that had been in use since 1916.  Made of bronze and measuring 23mm, it weighed 3.7 grams.


Emperor Hirohito
 
昭和天皇
4-19-1901 to 1-7-1989

1938-1940
In 1938 a new design was adopted and, after a short run, the metallic content was changed to aluminum and the size reduced to 17mm resulting in a weight of 0.9 grams.
1941-1943
In 1941 the design was again changed.  The diameter was reduced to 17mm and the weight reduced to 0.65 grams.  In 1943 the coin was made thinner to further reduce it's weight to 0.55 grams.
1944-1945
In 1944 the new design for the 1 Sen coin was produced with an alloy of tin and zinc and a weight of 1.3 grams.  Its size was reduced to 15mm.  Tin-zinc is an alloy common in WWII coinage, and one that corroded quickly in the Japanese climate.
1945
In the final days of WWII a 1 Sen coin made of baked clay circulated unofficially in Japan.

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