May 22, 2014 – In 2014 Japan Mint issues various Mint Sets featuring proof coin sets and a special medal. One set celebrates the famous cherry blossom viewing, another the Horse, this year’s Oriental zodiac.
2014 Cherry Blossom Viewing Proof Coin Set
Since its inception in 1883, the Japan Mint’s Cherry Blossom Viewing has enjoyed lasting popularity as one of Osaka’s best-loved spring traditions. The Japan Mint is proud to release the 2014 “Cherry Blossom Viewing” Proof Coin Set. It is noteworthy that this coin set includes a beautiful sterling silver medal featuring the Blossom of the Year, “Matsumae kotoitozakura,” as well as six Japanese legal tender coins in proof condition.
About the Blossom of the Year
“Matsumae kotoito-zakura” – Matsumae kotoito-zakura was produced in 1959 (Showa 34) by the cherry-blossom researcher Asari Masatoshi, from the seed of an unnamed double-flowered cherry blossom tree in the garden of the Mariyama family home in Matsumae, Hokkaido. It has 40–45 petals, which turn from crimson to pale pink after the blooms open.
The set is comprised of:
- Six Japanese legal tender coins in proof condition (a 500 yen nickel-brass proof coin, a 100 yen cupronickel proof coin, a 50 yen cupronickel proof coin, a 10 yen bronze proof coin, a 5 yen brass proof coin and a 1 yen aluminum proof coin
- A color sterling silver medal (material: Ag 92.5%, weight: approx.20g, diameter: 35mm)
A special silver medal featuring the Blossom of the Year.
The obverse of the silver medal has the Blossom of the Year, Matsumae kotoitozakura, printed in color, while the reverse depicts a woman playing the koto (a Japanese stringed instrument) by using the frosting finish (nashiji) processing technique and other fine processing techniques.
The obverse of the cover case shows Matsumae kotoito-zakura, and the reverse and the leather case show a woman playing the koto, while the obverse of the coin holder depicts Matsumae kotoito-zakura and the reverse has a koto design.
2014 Mint Set
This is a standard coin set including six Brilliant Uncirculated coins of Japan as well as a special medal featuring this year’s Oriental zodiac, the Horse. In the paper packaging of our Mint Set, events concerning coins are introduced every year. This year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary since commemorative coins were firstly issued in Japan, those first commemorative coins, namely, 100-yen and 1,000-yen silver coins for Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964, are introduced with episodes at that time.
The coin set includes:
- Six Japanese legal tender coins in Brilliant Uncirculated condition (a 500 yen nickel-brass coin, a 100 yen cupronickel coin, a 50 yen cupronickel coin, a 10 yen bronze coin, a 5 yen brass coin and a 1 yen aluminum coin)
Medal with Oriental zodiac.
- A red brass medal featuring this year’s Oriental Zodiac, the Horse (Diameter 27.0mm, Weight: 7.5g)
Japan Coin Set cover.
2014 Japan Coin Set
This is an annual coin set made under the theme of Japanese scenery, cultural properties, and so on, to introduce Japanese coins internationally. This year’s Japan Coin Set features “traditional Japanese patterns” again. The obverse of the cover case depicts the moon, eagles, pine branches, and a semicircular wave-shape motif, while the reverse depicts pine branches and a key-fret motif. The obverse of the coin holder is decorated with a motif of three joined hexagonal shapes, and the reverse with a motif of three alternating horizontal and vertical lines.
The coin set includes:
- Six Japanese legal tender coins in Brilliant Uncirculated condition (a 500 yen nickel-brass coin, a 100 yen cupronickel coin, a 50 yen cupronickel coin, a 10 yen bronze coin, a 5 yen brass coin and a 1 yen aluminum coin)
- A pure silver medal color-printed with the Japanese national flag (Size: 17.5mm x 17.5mm, Weight: 4.36g)
Obverse design: Paulownia. Reverse design: Letters ‘2014’ and kanji characters representing ‘Japan Mint.’
2014 Standard Proof Coin Set
This is an annual Proof Coin Set housed in a plastic display case with leather. Each proof coin shines like a mirror on the hollow area of its surface while its embossed parts are frosted. The proof coin set includes six Japanese legal tender coins in proof condition (a 500 yen nickel-brass proof coin, a 100 yen cupronickel proof coin, a 50 yen cupronickel proof coin, a 10 yen bronze proof coin, a 5 yen brass proof coin and a 1 yen aluminum proof coin) and a pure copper medal featuring the year 2014 and paulownia (Weight: 4.6g, Size: 22 mm x 18 mm).
2014 Anniversary Coin Set
This lovely coin set with a photo holder is the best for gift for special occasions such as wedding, birthday etc. This year’s Anniversary Coin Set features Japan Mint’s Original Characters called “Twinkling Coins,” featuring six Japanese legal tender coins from 1-yen to 500-yen coins. Especially, a pure silver medal included in this year’s Anniversary Coin Set carries an image of “Sakura-chan,” who is a character featuring 100-yen cupronickel coin. Her name “Sakura” stands for “cherry blossoms,” which is depicted on the obverse side of 100-yen cupronickel coin.
The coin set includes:
- Six Japanese legal tender coins in Brilliant Uncirculated condition (500 yen nickel-brass coin, a 100 yen cupronickel coin, a 50 yen cupronickel coin, a 10 yen bronze coin, a 5 yen brass coin and a 1 yen aluminum coin)
Anniversary Coin Set pure silver medal.
- A pure silver medal (Weight: 4.0 g, Diameter: 22 mm)
For more information on these new issues visit the Japan Mint’s website.