A yen
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| A yen (A円, A en) | |
|---|---|
 Obverse of the 1 Yen A-Yen | |
| Unit | |
| Unit | A yen |
| Symbol | ¥ |
| Denominations | |
| Banknotes | 10s, 50s, 1¥, 5¥, 10¥, 20¥, 100¥ |
| Demographics | |
| User(s) | United States Armed Forces, Korea |
| Issuance | |
| Central bank | • United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands • United States Army Military Government in Korea • Bank of Japan |
| This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete. | |
A yen (A圓, A en) was a colloquial term used to refer to a form of military scrip used in post-war US-occupied Japan, Korea, and Okinawa from September 7, 1945, to July 21, 1948. Unlike their B Yen counterparts, these notes were restricted to military use only with the exception of Korea for a brief time. They are notable for being the first "Military Payment Certificates" (in Korea) given after World War II had ended.[1]
Both "A" and "B yen" scrip in denominations from 10 sen to 100 yen were printed in 1945. These were to be used immediately upon the invasion of Okinawa, April 1, 1945.[1][2] "A yen" scrip along with their "B yen" counterparts were initially presented in "SPECIMEN" booklets to help US Forces personnel identify the new invasion currency to be used.[2]
In general, "A yen" scrip was printed using the block number "A-A" with exceptions. The block number "H-A" was used for specimen examples that found their way into circulation and for replacement notes.[2] When the "A-yen" scrip was released in Japan, Korea, and the Ryukyu Islands from July 19, to September 30, 1946 it was restricted to military use only.[3]
The United States military used these as payment certificates, while the civilian population used "B yen" scrip as currency.[3] "A yen" scrip was used as general currency in Korea from September 7, 1945, to July 10, 1946.[2] "A yen" scrip was eventually deprecated in all three regions on July 21, 1948, in favor of a one currency "B yen" scrip system.[3]
Production
All "A yen" series notes are considered scarcer than the "B yen" series, despite the former having millions more printed. Each note was printed under the A-A block expect for replacement notes which used block H-A.[2]
| Denomination | Amount printed | Ink color |
|---|---|---|
| 10 sen | 93,456,000 | Purple |
| 50 sen | 76,668,000 | Blue |
| 1 yen | 66,176,000 | Green |
| 5 yen | 29,840,000 | Blue |
| 10 yen | 51,880,000 | Green |
| 20 yen | 4,506,000 | Purple |
| 100 yen | 9,140,000 | Blue |
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