5000 yen coin

Last updated
Five-thousand yen
Japan
Value5,000 Japanese yen
Mass(Silver) 15 g,
(Gold) 7.8 g
Diameter(Silver) 30 mm,
(Gold) 20 mm
Edge Reeded
Composition.925 Silver (1990-1998) [lower-alpha 1]
.999 Gold (2021)
Years of minting1990–2021 [lower-alpha 2]
Obverse
DesignVaries by year
Reverse
DesignVaries by year

The 5,000 yen coin is a denomination of the Japanese yen used only for commemoratives struck by the Japan Mint. These are made only for collectors who purchase them directly from the mint at a premium. 5000 yen commemorative coins have historically been struck in a silver alloy since 1990. This practice changed in 2021 when gold was used for the first time for a coin celebrating 150 years of Japan's modern currency system. Measurements for the coins in terms of width and weight have remained the same except for the gold issue when these were lowered. Earlier coins were also once struck in the millions before the alloy change took place.

Contents

History

The first 5000 yen coins were struck in 1990 (year 2 of Heisei) in a sterling silver alloy to commemorative three different occasions. For the Osaka Garden Exposition, coins were minted that feature a right facing bust of the goddess Flora with flowers in her hair on the obverse. The reverse of the coin meanwhile features the official logo used for the event which was in the form of a flower. [2] Two centennials are celebrated on the other issues which include Japan's Judiciary System and National Diet. The latter of these coins features the diet building on the obverse and "100 years since establishment of congress" on the reverse. [3] Mintage figures for these first issues are 10,000,000 coins struck for Osaka, and 5,000,000 each for the two centennials respectfully. [4]

Only one commemorative coin was struck in 1993 which celebrates the wedding of then Crown Prince of Japan Naruhito to then princess Masako. These were the first 5,000 yen coins to be struck in both regular (uncirculated) and proof format, and were issued in box sets along with 500 and 50,000 yen wedding commemoratives. [5] [6] The design chosen for the 5000 yen coin depicts a pair of cranes in flight on the obverse, while the reverse has the Imperial Crest. [7] These coins are unique to other 5000 yen silver coins that have been struck up to the present as a pure silver alloy was used for this occasion. [1]

5000 yen commemorative coins were minted again in sterling silver to celebrate the 1998 Winter Olympics, which were held in the Japanese city of Nagano. The actual production of the coins however, took place in 1997 (9th year of Heisei) and lasted into 1998 (Heisei 10). [8] [9] [10] They were then released in sets of three different series alongside 500 and 10,000 yen Nagano commemoratives. A limit of 5,000,000 coins each (133,000 for proofs) was set for the 5000 yen denomination. Three different Olympic themes were used on the obverse sides of the coins as a design feature: Hockey (series 1), Biathlon (series 2), and Paralympic Skier (series 3). [8] [9] [10] For the reverse a Serow is featured along with the value and date.

Another 23 years passed before the Japan Mint made 5000 yen commemorative coins again. In 2021 (3rd year of reiwa) the Japan Mint produced a 0.25 oz gold coin to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Japan's Modern Currency System. This coin is notable for being the first 5000 yen gold coin that was reduced in both weight and size, and the first 0.25 oz gold coin ever minted by Japan. [11] The set diameter of 30 mm and weight of 15 g that had been used for all of the prior coins was changed to 20 mm and 7.8 g for this gold issue. [12] For a design, the obverse features the character 圓 (yen) which was used on gold one yen coins issued in 1871. On the reverse, the chosen design combines features from all of Japan's currently circulating coins (¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, & ¥500). [11] These coins were limited to 20,000 struck, and were released individually inside special holders. [11]

List of commemoratives

"Emperors name" → "Number representing year of reign" → "Year" (Ex: 平成 → 2 → 年).
Image Japanese date Gregorian date Mintage [4] [lower-alpha 3] Reason
Osaka-Expo1990-5000yen.jpg 2
Heisei 		199010,000,000 Osaka Garden Exposition [13]
5000 yen Centennial of the Judiciary 1990 (H2).jpg 2
Heisei		19905,000,000Centennial of the Judiciary System [14]
5000 yen Diet of Japan Centennial 1990 (H2).jpg 2
Heisei		19905,000,000Centennial of the Diet of Japan [15]
5000 yen Wedding of Naruhito 1993 (H5).jpg 五 (5) [lower-alpha 4]
Heisei		19934,800,000
(200,000) [16] 		Wedding of the Crown Prince [1]
5000 yen Nagano Olympics Hockey 1998 (H10).jpg 9
Heisei		19974,867,000
(133,000) [17] 		1998 Nagano Olympics (Hockey) [8]
5000 yen Nagano Olympics Biathlon 1998 (H10).jpg 9
Heisei		19974,867,000
(133,000) [18] 		1998 Nagano Olympics (Biathlon) [9]
NaganoOlympic5000.jpg 10
Heisei		19984,867,000
(133,000) [19] 		1998 Nagano Olympics (Paralympic Skier) [10]
150th ANV of currency 2021 (R3) Obverse.gif 150th ANV of currency 2021 (R3) Reverse.gif 3
Reiwa 		202120,000150th Anniversary of Modern Currency System [20]

Collecting

The value of any given coin is determined by survival rate and condition as collectors in general prefer uncleaned appealing coins. Finding a worn or cleaned example isn't an issue for this denomination as they were specially made for collectors. In terms of added value, its debated within the numismatic community if breaking up modern proof sets to grade individual coins is a worthwhile investment or not. [21] [22]

Notes

  1. ↑ This excludes the 1993 wedding commemorative which was struck in pure silver. [1]
  2. ↑ Non consecutive
  3. ↑ Proof mintages are in parentheses
  4. ↑ The emperor's reign (year of coin) is written in Kanji.

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The 100 yen coin is a denomination of Japanese yen. These coins were first minted in 1957 using a silver alloy, before the current design was adopted with an alloy change in 1967. It is the second-highest denomination coin in Japan, after the 500 yen coin. The current 100 yen coin is one of two denominations that depict the emperor's rule date in Arabic numerals rather than kanji.

The 1000 yen coin is a denomination of the Japanese yen. This denomination is only used for the issue of commemorative silver coins struck by the Japan Mint.

The 10,000 yen coin is a denomination of the Japanese yen, and is only used for the issue of commemorative coins struck by the Japan Mint. 10,000 yen coins were first issued in the mid/late 1980s in silver but were later switched to gold. These non consecutive commemorative gold coins have been released ever since to collectors.

The 50 sen coin (五十銭硬貨) was a Japanese coin worth half of a Japanese yen, as 100 sen equalled 1 yen. These coins circulated from the late 19th century to the early 1950s, when Japan adopted a single currency unit and this coin was demonetized.

The 10 sen coin (十銭硬貨) was a Japanese coin worth one tenth of a Japanese yen, as 100 sen equalled 1 yen. These coins were minted from the late 19th century up until the end of World War II.

The 20 sen coin (二十銭銀貨) was a Japanese coin worth one fifth of a Japanese yen, as 100 sen equalled 1 yen. These coins were all minted in silver during the Meiji era from 1870 to 1911.

The half sen coin (半銭) was a Japanese coin worth one two-hundredth of a Japanese yen, as 100 sen equalled 1 yen. All half sen coins were minted during the Meiji period between 1873 and 1888, and are made from nearly pure copper. These coins were later replaced for a brief time by another coin with the same value in the 1910s. The half sen coin was demonetized at the end of 1953 along with other subsidiary coinage and is no longer legal tender. They are now readily available for collectors to own as coins from this denomination were minted in large quantities.

The 20 yen coin (二十圓硬貨) was a denomination of Japanese yen. These coins were minted in gold, and during their lifespan were the highest denomination of coin that circulated in the country. The first coins were minted in 1870 following the introduction of a decimal currency system. Twenty Yen coins spanned three different Imperial eras before mintage was halted in 1932. Many of these coins were then melted or destroyed as a result of the wars between 1931 and 1945. These coins are now collected by numismatists for academic study, and by those with a hobby.

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The 100,000 yen coin is a denomination of the Japanese yen. Only two different types of coins have ever been struck in this denomination, which is only used for the minting of commemorative coins struck by the Japan Mint. Proof coinage and uncirculated examples were made for collectors, none were ever intended or released for circulation.

The 500 yen coin is a denomination of the Japanese yen. In addition to being used as circulating currency, this denomination has also been used to make commemorative coins struck by the Japan Mint. These coins are intended for collectors only and were never issued for circulation.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Wedding of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince 5,000 yen Silver Coin". Japan Mint. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ "5000 Yen, Specimen, Japan, 1990". National Museum of American History . Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  3. ↑ "5000 Yen, Specimen, Japan, 1990". National Museum of American History . Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Commemorative Coins issued up to now". Japan Mint. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Japan, 1948-date Commemorative Coins". Star City Homer. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Japan. Gold etc. 1993. Yen. Proof. The Wedding of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince". www.numisbids.com. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  7. ↑ "5000 Yen, Specimen, Japan, 1993". National Museum of American History . Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "Nagano Olympic (Series One) 5,000 yen Silver Coin". Japan Mint . Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 "Nagano Olympic (Series Two) 5,000 yen Silver Coin". Japan Mint. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 "Nagano Olympic (Series Three) 5,000 yen Silver Coin". Japan Mint. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 Pierre (September 15, 2021). "New coins and medals – 150th anniversary of Japan modern currency system". Numismag. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  12. ↑ "The 150th Anniversary of Modern Currency System 5,000 yen Gold Coin". Japan Mint. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  13. ↑ "The International Garden and Greenery Exposition 5,000 yen Silver Coin". Japan Mint. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  14. ↑ "The Judicial System Centennial 5,000 yen Silver Coin". Japan Mint. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  15. ↑ "The Diet Centennial 5,000 yen Silver Coin". Japan Mint. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Japan 5000 Yen Y# 108 Yr.5(1993) Proof". Numismatic Guaranty Company . Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Japan 5000 Yen Y# 115 Yr.9(1997) Proof". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Japan 5000 Yen Y# 119 Yr.9(1997) Proof". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Japan 5000 Yen Y# 120 Yr.10(1998) Proof". Numismatic Guaranty Company. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  20. ↑ "150th Anniversary of Japan's Postal System and Modern Currency System commemorative coins" (PDF). The Ministry of Finance of Japan. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Should I break open my Proof Sets?". Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Breaking Up Proof Sets - Pros and Cons". Numista. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
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