Happy Birthday, Yen! Japan’s Currency Celebrates 150 Years

By
 
-
With a new Mint Set the Japan Mint commemorates its foundation 150 years ago and the creation of Japan’s modern currency Yen. The set consists of six Japanese legal tender coins in Brilliant Uncirculated condition and one red brass medal.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=4]

Japan’s modern currency system celebrated its 150th anniversary in June 2021. On this occasion Japan Mint issued a new mint set as well as a 10,000-yen gold coin. The mint set features a proof coin set and a special medal honoring the 150th anniversary of the Yen and the Japan Mint.

The new Mint Set consists of six Japanese legal tender coins in Brilliant Uncirculated condition and one red brass medal.

The 2021 Mint Set

The Mint Set is a standard coin set including six Brilliant Uncirculated coins of Japan as well as a special medal. The medal shows on the obverse the entrance to the former Japan Mint in the center, surrounded by lettering “150th ANNIVERSARY SINCE1871“. The reverse design depicts the balance made by a Japan Mint’s engineer ONO Norichika in 1876 to measure produced coins, surrounded by lettering “JAPAN MINT 2021”. The medal weights approximately 7.5 g.

The Japanese Yan was introduced in 1871. This coin commemorates the 150th anniversary.

The coin set contains:

  • 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, a 1-yen aluminum coin
  • A red brass medal
  • A special paper holder with the illustration of the current circulating coins and history of modern currency
  • An outer sleeve case

40,000 sets are the scheduled sales quantity and the maximum allocation for overseas market: 692 sets.

Japan / 10,000 Yen / Gold .999 / 1/2 oz / 26 mm / Mintage: 20,000.

The 10,000-Yen Gold Coin

The 10,000-Yen Commemorative Gold Coin 2021 is minted honoring the 150th anniversary of Japans modern currency system. It is made of a half ounce (15.6 g) 0.999 pure gold with an diameter of 26 mm. On the obverse the coin bears the character “圓 (yen),” designed for gold coins issued in 1871, with a chrysanthemum and a paulownia on the reverse side. The reverse design combines those of the current regular coins (six coins), i.e., a paulownia, cherry blossom, chrysanthemum, the Byodoin Phoenix Hall, rice ears, and sapling.

20,000 sets are the scheduled sales quantity and the maximum allocation for overseas market: 1,989 sets. It comes with a with a certificate in English and a square capsule with a hologram sheet.

A 1⁄4 oz. gold coin and a silver coin for the same theme will be released later.

 

For further information visit the website of Japan Mint.

Since April 2021 Japan Mint has a new president, Mr. Yamana Norio.

Here you can read more in detail about The Japan Mint in Osaka – exponent of Western modernization.