New Japanese banknotes that were released a month ago are increasingly being offered on online auction sites. A new ¥10,000 note with the same serial numbers sold for as much as ¥70,000.
Bids have also been observed for new ¥1,000 notes that exceeded their face value.
Circulating banknotes can be listed on Yahoo Auction as long as they are recognized as collectible or scarce.
“There is some demand” for banknotes in circulation, said an official at LY, the operator of the auction site.
However, banknotes can be removed from the location if they no longer have any collector’s value.
No listing of new banknotes has been confirmed on popular flea market app Mercari, as the operator does not want to list banknotes and cash vouchers.
There are concerns that the app could be used to launder money, a Mercari official said. If banknotes are on the list, they could be removed, the official said.
