The Japanese yen (円 or 圓 en?, symbol: ¥; code: JPY) is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro, and the pound sterling.
Coins were introduced in 1870. There were silver 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen and 1 yen, and gold 2, 5, 10 and 20 yen. Gold 1 yen were introduced in 1871, followed by copper 1 rin, ½, 1 and 2 sen in 1873.
Cupronickel 5 sen coins were introduced in 1889. In 1897, the silver 1 yen coin was demonetized and the sizes of the gold coins were reduced by 50%, with 5, 10 and 20 yen coins issued. In 1920, cupro-nickel 10 sen coins were introduced.
Coins were introduced in 1870. There were silver 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen and 1 yen, and gold 2, 5, 10 and 20 yen. Gold 1 yen were introduced in 1871, followed by copper 1 rin, ½, 1 and 2 sen in 1873.
Cupronickel 5 sen coins were introduced in 1889. In 1897, the silver 1 yen coin was demonetized and the sizes of the gold coins were reduced by 50%, with 5, 10 and 20 yen coins issued. In 1920, cupro-nickel 10 sen coins were introduced.
After the war, brass 50 sen, 1 and 5 yen were introduced between 1946 and 1948. In 1949, the current type of holed 5 yen was introduced, followed by bronze 10 yen (of the type still in circulation) in 1951.
Coin is small and may be a choking hazard for children aged 3 or younger.
You can see these characters on the non-rice side of the coin. After that comes the date, expressed as years of the particular dynasty.
The coin in our photo comes from the 33rd year of the Showa dynasty, or 1925 + 33 = 1958. The leftmost character means 'year.'
All in all, most dates of these coins are worth face value, 5 yen in Japan. Dates before Showa 34 (1959) are worth about $10 if in fully uncirculated condition. Coins dated Showa 32 (1957) are scarce and can be worth $30 in fully uncirculated.
After the war, brass 50 sen, 1 and 5 yen were introduced between 1946 and 1948. In 1949, the current type of holed 5 yen was introduced, followed by bronze 10 yen (of the type still in circulation) in 1951.
The 5 yen coin (五円硬貨 Go-en kōka?) is one denomination of Japanese yen. The current design was first minted in 1959 using Japanese characters known as the "new script", and were also minted from 1949-1958 using "old-script" Japanese characters. Five-yen coins date to 1870 (when, due to the much higher value of the yen, they were minted in gold). The modern-day coin was first produced in 1949 with a different styled inscription. This was changed in 1959 and the design has remained unchanged since.
The front of the coin depicts a rice plant growing out of the water, with "five yen" written in kanji; the back is stamped with "Japan" and the year of issue, also in kanji, separated by sprouts of a tree. The three graphic elements of the coin represent agriculture and fisheries, the key elements of the Japanese first-sector economy. Around a hole, there is a gear that represents industry. It is the only Japanese coin in circulation to lack Arabic numerals on either face.
Cultural Significance
In 1870, the first 5 yen coin was introduced. It
was composed of .900 fine gold, weighed 8.33 grams, and measured
23.84 millimeters in diameter. Depicted on the obverse was the sun surrounded
by a wreath and crossed banners, as well as the Imperial Seal of Japan and the
Paulownia Crest. Displayed on the reverse was a Japanese dragon encircled by
the coin's value (as 圓五), year of minting (in
Meiji), and the name of the issuing authority (本日大). It was used until 1897 before being demonetized.
Second coin-5yen-M30-1897
coin
From 1897 to 1924, a new 5 yen coin was issued. Like its
predecessor, the coin was composed of .900 fine gold, though it was reduced to
weighing 4.17 grams and measuring 16.96 millimeters in diameter. On the coin's
obverse was the sun, surrounded by the coin's year of minting (in Meiji),
value, and issuing authority. The value was also inscribed on the reverse,
which was surrounded by a wreath and the Imperial Seal of Japan.
Third coin-5yen-S23-1948
brass coin
In 1948, several years after the demonetization of the
second 5 yen coin, a new issue was introduced. It was composed of brass,
weighed 4 grams, and measured 21.5 millimeters in diameter. Displayed on the
obverse was a pigeon enclosed within a circle. At the top was the state title (日本國) and at the bottom was the year of minting (in Shōwa). Depicted on the reverse was the National Diet Building (also
enclosed) and the value (as 五円) surrounded by a
floral pattern. Though this coin was only issued for about two years, a total
of 254,212,000 were produced.
Current coin-Old and
new script 5 yen-Coins using the old (left) and new (right) scripts.
In 1949, the fourth, and current, 5 yen coin was
introduced. It is composed of brass, weighs 3.75 grams, and measures 22
millimeters in diameter and 1.51 millimeters in thickness. In the center is a
hole measuring 5 millimeters in diameter. From 1949 to 1959, the coins bore
"old-script" legends, while those from 1959 to the present are
inscribed using the "new-script". Depicted on the obverse are the
state title (日本国) and the year of minting (Shōwa until 1989; currently Heisei), separated by tree shoots. Displayed on
the reverse is a rice plant growing out of water and a gear around the coin's
hole. Each of these depictions represent the key elements of the Japanese
first-sector economy: the plant represents agriculture, the water represents
forestry and fisheries, and the gear represents industry. Underneath the hole
is the coin's value (inscribed as 五円). From 1949 to 2010,
a total of 14,765,003,200 of these coins were minted.
Pattern coins
In 1870, a gold 5 yen pattern coin was minted by the
Japan Mint. Another followed in 1874, though the design was changed. Depicted
on the obverse was a Japanese dragon encircled by the state title of Japan,
value, and year of minting (in Meiji). Displayed on the reverse was the sun
surrounded by a wreath with the Imperial Seal of Japan above. Below was the value,
inscribed as "FIVE YEN".
In 1951, an aluminum pattern of the current 5 yen coin
was produced, followed by an alternate brass coin in 1958.
The Japanese for "five yen," go en (五円) is a homophone with go-en (御縁), "en" being a word for causal connection or relationship, and "go" being a respectful prefix. As a result, five-yen coins are commonly given as donations at Shinto shrines with the intention of establishing a good connection with the deity of the shrine, and is widely believed it is best to insert a single five-yen coin into a new wallet before inserting any other money
Use in nuclear accident investigation
Use in nuclear accident investigation
Following the nuclear accident at Tokai, Ibaraki in 1999, physicists Masuchika Kohno and Yoshinobu Koizumi showed how this coin could be used to estimate neutron dosage to the surrounding population, by measuring its zinc isotope ratios. They write:
- The Japanese 5-yen coin is about 22 millimeters in diameter and 1.5 mm thick, weighs 3.75 grams and has a central hole 5 mm wide. We chose this coin for monitoring neutron exposure because it is widely circulated, the zinc content is precisely controlled, and the
generated has a convenient half-life (244.1 days) and gamma ray energy emission (1,115.5 keV). To obtain a record of the dosage of neutrons released as a result of the accident, we collected exposed coins from people's houses at distances 100–550 m from the facility.
They concluded that the coin could offer information about the total neutron effect during the accident, and about shielding by modern Japanese houses, given that the coins were recovered from indoors.
Lucky Japan 5 Yen
The Japanese 5 yen coin is the longest-running holed coin of the last 100 years. It was first issued in 1959, replacing the previous 5-yen coin that did not have a hole in its center, and is still used today. These coins are made from a mixture of zinc and copper, which give them a lovely golden color.
In Japan, 5 yen coins are considered good-luck charms because saying "5 yen" in Japanese (go en) has the same pronunciation as a common expression for good luck ("good fortune" or "good spirit"). The hole in the center makes them perfect for hanging from a neckace or bracelet.
These coins are circulated and come in a variety of dates and conditions.
In Japan, 5 yen coins are considered good-luck charms because saying "5 yen" in Japanese (go en) has the same pronunciation as a common expression for good luck ("good fortune" or "good spirit"). The hole in the center makes them perfect for hanging from a neckace or bracelet.
These coins are circulated and come in a variety of dates and conditions.
Coin is small and may be a choking hazard for children aged 3 or younger.
ABOUT
These are modern Japanese 5 yen coins. The rice stalk and gear are distinguishing patterns. Dating these coins can be a challenge for Westerners. Earlier coins come from the Showa (Hirohito) dynasty, which starts counting years in 1925, and later from the current Heisei (Akihito) dynasty, which starts counting in 1988. So, for instance, Heisei 1 is 1989.
You can see these characters on the non-rice side of the coin. After that comes the date, expressed as years of the particular dynasty.
The coin in our photo comes from the 33rd year of the Showa dynasty, or 1925 + 33 = 1958. The leftmost character means 'year.'
All in all, most dates of these coins are worth face value, 5 yen in Japan. Dates before Showa 34 (1959) are worth about $10 if in fully uncirculated condition. Coins dated Showa 32 (1957) are scarce and can be worth $30 in fully uncirculated.
This coin is Showa era (1926-1989) and head of the state was Hirohito van Japan (1926-1989).
This brass coin weights 3.75 gram with diameter 22 mm and thickness 1.5 mm.
Front of the coin shows state title Nippon Koku on top, date on bottom; text separated on either side by newly sprouting plants each with two leaves and back side shows Ear of Rice
"Five yen" Rice plant growing on left side of coin representing agriculture; over waters at bottom of coin representing fisheries; and teeth of a cog or gear around the central hole representing industry.This type of coin was first issued in 1949 minting about 111,896,000 coins and lastly in 1989 minting about 67,332,000.This coin was minted in 1959 minting about 33,000,000 coins.
About 10,372,057,000 were minted . Its peak value is about $ 8/5 Pound
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