---
title: "Giza-jū Value and Market Prices: Shōwa 26 Issues Reach Tens of Thousands of Yen — How to Identify and Store These Introductory Antique Coins"
url: "https://ittendo.com/en/article/news-jp-1366-1b3a4cd1"
site: "ITTENDO"
type: "article"
category: "近代貨幣"
published: "2026-08-28T22:00:00Z"
source: "一点堂編集部"
source_url: "https://ittendo.com/"
lang: "en"
---
# Giza-jū Value and Market Prices: Shōwa 26 Issues Reach Tens of Thousands of Yen — How to Identify and Store These Introductory Antique Coins

> The value of Giza-jū (10-yen coins with reeded edges minted from Shōwa 26 to 33) varies greatly depending on the year of issue and condition. High-grade uncirculated examples of the Shōwa 26 issue trade for ¥30,000 to ¥100,000 or more, while circulated specimens fetch only dozens to several hundred yen. The reeded edge was discontinued after the Shōwa 33 issue, and this limited production window is the source of their scarcity.

The 10-yen coin known as "Giza-jū," issued in the early postwar period, is distinguished above all by the fine reeding along its edge. Produced for only eight years, from Shōwa 26 to Shōwa 33, this coin remains legal tender today and can still be found inside old piggy banks or tucked away in the back of drawers.

---

## What Is Giza-jū — Why an Early Postwar 10-Yen Coin Became a "Rare Coin"

"Giza-jū" (ギザ十) is the popular name for the early 10-yen coins issued from Shōwa 26 (1951) to Shōwa 33 (1958). They share the same design as the 10-yen coin currently in circulation — featuring the Byōdō-in Hōō-dō (平等院鳳凰堂) in Uji — yet their most distinctive feature is the fine reeding (sawtooth notching) applied to the edge. Because this reeding was eliminated from 10-yen coins issued from Shōwa 34 (1959) onward, only the eight years of issues dated Shōwa 26 through 33 bear this characteristic and are classified separately as Giza-jū.

When the first Shōwa 26 (1951) coins were struck, Japan was intensifying its postwar reconstruction while benefiting from the Korean War special procurement boom, giving this 10-yen coin historical significance as a monetary symbol of postwar Japan's economic restart. Giza-jū remain usable as legal tender today and are occasionally found in wallets even now.

The design change of Shōwa 34 (1959) that eliminated the reeding had practical motivations. The reeded edge on 10-yen coins was discontinued after the Shōwa 33 issue, and concerns about the manufacturing cost of the reeding and die wear had also been raised.

10-yen coins dated Shōwa 34 onward adopted the smooth-edge specification that remains in use today. Against this backdrop, Giza-jū (issues dated Shōwa 26–33) — produced for only eight years — came to be regarded as "witnesses of their era," subsequently attracting attention among collectors. This article explains, based on documented records, the actual state of price formation in the current market for Giza-jū and the differences in value arising from individual specimens.

## The Gap in Mintage Between Shōwa 26 and 33 Determines Present-Day Value

Giza-jū exist in eight date varieties spanning Shōwa 26 through Shōwa 33, but the number of coins struck in each year differs enormously, and this disparity is the single greatest factor governing current market valuations.

The year with the highest mintage is estimated to be Shōwa 27, with hundreds of millions or more coins believed to have been struck. By contrast, the first-year Shōwa 26 issue had a comparatively limited production run, and the number of surviving high-grade specimens is restricted. Looking at scarcity by date, Shōwa 26 is the rarest, followed by Shōwa 28 and Shōwa 33, then Shōwa 27 and Shōwa 29 through 32 — though this ranking is known to shift depending on quality and grade.

As circulated pieces, coins of any date trade for roughly dozens to several hundred yen, but the picture changes completely in the uncirculated realm. For Shōwa 26-dated examples grading MS65 or above, recorded hammer prices of ¥30,000 to ¥100,000 or more exist. This price gap between dates is precisely what makes collecting Giza-jū so compelling.

To assess condition accurately, inspecting the edge is indispensable. Viewing the coin from the side with a fingertip or magnifying glass, one can confirm authenticity by checking whether the fine notches run continuously. Any Giza-jū dated Shōwa 26 through 33 will always have this reeding; by contrast, 10-yen coins from Shōwa 34 onward have a smooth edge.

Four key points apply to assessing uncirculated condition: first, the presence or absence of scratches and wear on the field (the flat background area); second, the sharpness of fine details on the phoenix and the building; third, the uniformity of the edge reeding (whether it has been flattened by circulation); and fourth, the degree of remaining luster (the surface brilliance imparted at the time of minting). On circulated pieces that have spent years in pockets or wallets, the edge reeding is often worn smooth, and the extent of this wear is an important indicator for grade assessment. The [Antique Coin Grading Standards](/coinpedia/basics-003-grading) article provides a more detailed look at these evaluation methods.

## Recent Market Levels and Price Movement Trends in the Modern Coinage Category

Across the modern coinage category as a whole, as of the reference date of 29 August 2026, the median hammer price for the most recent 90-day period stands at ¥12,000 (79 transactions). The preceding 90-day period (143 out of 226 total transactions) recorded a median of ¥14,700, representing a decline of approximately 18.4%. This movement is rated as medium reliability, as each period aggregates 30 or more transactions.

Looking at recent individual hammer prices, the price range shows a wide distribution. An uncirculated Meiji 36 New One-Yen Silver Coin (新一円銀貨) sold for ¥16,800, while a genuine Meiji 38 one-yen silver coin (一圓銀貨) fetched ¥10,000 and a Meiji 45 fine-grade example also brought ¥10,000. Meanwhile, fine-grade examples dated Meiji 27, Meiji 39, and Meiji 16 all fell within a range of ¥11,000 to ¥13,000.

A notable outlier is a Meiji 8 Trade Dollar (貿易銀) that sold for ¥32,000 despite being certified as a counterfeit by CAG. This result diverges sharply from other hammer prices within the category and underscores the considerable influence that individual certification results, date, and condition can have on realized prices.

It should be noted that the figures presented here represent statistics for the modern coinage category as a whole, not the individual market for Giza-jū (early New 10-yen coins). Detailed market trends for this category, including Giza-jū, can be checked via the [Market Chart for Price History](/market/index) or viewed as a list in [Auction Results](/auctions).

## Three Factors That Determine Giza-jū Value: Condition, Date, and Grading

The market price of Giza-jū — coins that are, in a sense, "current coinage" falling within an extremely narrow range — changes dramatically depending on condition and date. This disparity defines the reality of collecting them.

**Price Differences by Condition**

Circulated pieces (equivalent to F–VF) trade at roughly ¥10–¥100 regardless of date, a difference from face value of ¥10 that is negligible. However, as one moves into the about-uncirculated range (AU equivalent), the picture reverses. Shōwa 26-dated coins reach approximately ¥1,000–¥5,000, while Shōwa 27–33 issues fall to approximately ¥500–¥2,000. In fully uncirculated condition (MS62–64 equivalent), Shōwa 26-dated coins jump to approximately ¥5,000–¥30,000, and high-grade pieces at MS65 or above reach ¥50,000–¥150,000 or more. High-grade Shōwa 28-dated coins are also scarce; records show MS64 and above at approximately ¥10,000–¥50,000.

The reason coins from only a few decades ago command this price range is that truly pristine condition is extremely rare. Being scratched, oxidized, and worn through circulation is their natural fate. A Giza-jū that has been preserved uncirculated is rare from the moment it is found.

**Selection by Date**

The Shōwa 26 issue is the first-year date and is considered to have had a lower mintage. Records show that high-grade pieces command a higher price bracket and that collector demand tends to concentrate on this date. Shōwa 27–33 issues have relatively greater supply, and prices are lower even at the same grade. This difference is clearly reflected in markets where collectors and investors participate.

**Objectification Through Grading Services**

In recent years, a growing number of collectors have been submitting Giza-jū to PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). These third-party organizations certify a coin's condition with an objective numerical grade (F12–MS70) and seal it in a slab holder, thereby enhancing both protection and marketability. Certified examples of the Shōwa 26 date grading PCGS MS65 or above are limited in number, and cases of such pieces attracting attention in international auctions have been recorded.

The phenomenon of an everyday Japanese 10-yen coin being evaluated on a global stage represents one pinnacle of Giza-jū collecting. On the other hand, while the question of authenticity is almost negligible at the circulated level, understanding [how to detect counterfeits](/guide/fake-detection) becomes important for high-grade pieces. For grading standards themselves, [Antique Coin Grading Standards and How to Read Them](/guide/grading) is a useful reference.

## Acquisition and Storage: From Discovery to Systematic Collecting

One of the most distinctive features of collecting Giza-jū is that there remains a possibility of finding them in everyday life. Giza-jū dated Shōwa 26–33 are still legal tender in circulation, and they continue to turn up from old piggy banks, the effects of grandparents, and the backs of drawers. This is a charm unique to current-issue collecting that most other antique coins cannot offer.

However, pieces that circulated in daily use are in low condition, and even when found, their trading price is typically only dozens to several hundred yen. What determines value is quality of preservation. If you happen to find an example in uncirculated condition that retains its luster and is free of scratches, care must be taken not to diminish its value. The basic principles of value preservation are to store the coin in a protective case, and to observe the three rules: do not rub it, do not wash it, and do not touch it with bare hands. Detailed guidance on proper storage methods can be found at [Proper Storage Methods for Antique Coins](/guide/storage).

Collecting Giza-jū is the easiest entry point into antique coin collecting. Start by gathering one circulated example of each date from Shōwa 27 through 33, aiming for a complete "8-variety set." This alone completes a collection organized around the minor theme of postwar Japan's 10-yen coin history.

The next step is to challenge yourself to acquire a Shōwa 26-dated piece, and then, ultimately, to secure one or two high-grade examples — a staged approach that is practical. It is important to compare multiple sources — specialist antique coin dealers, auctions, and flea-market apps — when choosing where to buy. Because Giza-jū carry a low cost and minimal risk of counterfeiting, they are an ideal material for the very first step into antique coin collecting.

## Giza-jū as a Gateway into Familiar Antique Coin Collecting

The value of Giza-jū (10-yen coins with reeded edges dated Shōwa 26–33) varies greatly depending on the date of issue and grade (condition). As discussed in this article, recorded hammer prices exist for Shōwa 26-dated examples reaching tens of thousands of yen or more, with high-grade pieces exceeding ¥100,000, while coins of dates with large circulated supplies trade in the range of several hundred to several thousand yen.

The reason these coins attract attention as collectibles lies in the combination of accessibility and wide value range. They are current-issue antique coins that can potentially be found among everyday change, and yet depending on date and condition, they carry commensurate value. In other words, they are a subject that beginners in antique coin collecting can take up without special knowledge or high investment.

The Giza-jū market fluctuates in response to the level of interest among market participants — collectors and investors alike. By [monitoring prices for coins of interest in the Vault](/vault), you can track hammer price trends by individual date and gain an objective understanding of where a coin you own stands in the market.

Giza-jū are among the most approachable entry-level pieces in modern coinage collecting. They simultaneously offer the joy of discovery from familiar places and the opportunity to learn about the differences in value arising from date and grade. Engaging with these coins and encountering the history of Japanese currency and the workings of the market through them is the first step toward deeper collecting.