The five yen coin is a staple in Japan, and its history is fascinating. Introduced in 1889, it was one of the first coins to feature a Japanese design.
The five yen coin has undergone several design changes over the years. The original design featured a crown and a wreath, while the current design features a chrysanthemum, the national emblem of Japan.
The five yen coin is still widely used today, with over 1.3 billion coins in circulation. This is a testament to its enduring popularity and practicality.
History of the Coin
The first five yen coin was introduced in 1870, composed of .900 fine gold and weighing 8.33 grams.
It measured 23.84 millimeters in diameter and featured the sun surrounded by a wreath and crossed banners on the obverse side.
The Imperial Seal of Japan and the Paulownia Crest were also displayed on the obverse.
The reverse side showed a Japanese dragon encircled by the coin's value, year of minting, and the name of the issuing authority.
This design was used until 1897 before the coin was demonetized.
Current and Pattern Coins
The current 5 yen coin has been in circulation since 1949, and it's composed of brass, weighing 3.75 grams and measuring 22 millimeters in diameter and 1.51 millimeters in thickness.
It has a hole in the center, measuring 5 millimeters in diameter, and is inscribed with the state title (日本国) and the year of minting on the obverse side.
The coin's reverse side features a rice plant growing out of water and a gear around the hole, representing the key elements of Japan's first-sector economy.
From 1949 to 2010, a total of 14,765,003,200 of these coins were minted.
A gold 5 yen pattern coin was minted by the Japan Mint in 1870, followed by another in 1874 with a changed design.
The 1870 pattern coin featured a Japanese dragon on the obverse side, while the 1874 pattern coin had a different design on the obverse.
Second
The second coin was introduced in 1897 and remained in circulation until 1924. It was a 5 yen coin made of .900 fine gold, weighing 4.17 grams and measuring 16.96 millimeters in diameter.
The coin's design featured the sun on the obverse, surrounded by the year of minting in Meiji, the coin's value, and the issuing authority. The value was also inscribed on the reverse, which was surrounded by a wreath and the Imperial Seal of Japan.
Current Coin
The current 5 yen coin has been in circulation since 1949 and is made of brass, weighing 3.75 grams and measuring 22 millimeters in diameter and 1.51 millimeters in thickness.
It features a hole in the center, measuring 5 millimeters in diameter, and has two different script legends - "old-script" from 1949 to 1959 and "new-script" from 1959 to present.
The coin's obverse side displays the state title and the year of minting, separated by tree shoots, while the reverse side shows a rice plant growing out of water and a gear around the coin's hole.
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" (five yen).
Pattern Coins
Pattern coins are a fascinating area of numismatics, and Japan has a rich history of producing them. In 1870, a gold 5 yen pattern coin was minted by the Japan Mint.
These early pattern coins often featured unique designs that didn't make it to regular circulation. A Japanese dragon encircled by the state title of Japan, value, and year of minting (in Meiji) was depicted on the obverse of the 1870 gold coin.
The reverse side of the coin showed the sun surrounded by a wreath with the Imperial Seal of Japan above, accompanied by the value "FIVE YEN" below.
In 1951, an aluminum pattern of the current 5 yen coin was produced, showcasing the evolution of coin materials over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 5 yen coin rare?
A 5 yen coin can be considered rare, especially those minted between 2009 and 2013, due to limited production. This rarity makes them highly sought after by collectors.
Why is the 5 yen coin good luck?
In Japanese culture, the 5 yen coin is believed to bring good luck and fortune when used to make a wish, as it's thought to influence destiny and chance. Making a wish with a 5 yen coin is a popular tradition that's steeped in symbolism and cultural significance.
How to tell year on 5 yen coin?
To identify the year on a 5 yen coin, look for the 2 kanji era name, followed by a numerical value and the 'nen' symbol. This will give you the regnal year, which can be correlated with the Gregorian calendar.
Sources
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