On an r/Coins post, I was asked to date a coin that appeared to me be the standard 5¥ piece. I saw the date 四十 and answered, “Showa 40 = 1965”. But it turns out the piece wasn’t a 5¥, but a 10 sen coin minted in 1939, or 四十 (read right to left). Pre-war coinage always reads right to left, whereas the post-war coinage I’m familiar with reads left to right.
Does anyone know the impetus for this change? Internet searches so far haven’t found a particular reason. I assume it had to do with the government “breaking from the past” and taking the time to rationalize and standardize to better fit the world of the victorious allied powers.
I’d appreciate any assistance on this question, since I am also the moderator of r/JapaneseCoins, and will run into the question again.
