
The Koin 5 Yen has a fascinating history that dates back to the 19th century. It was first introduced in 1870 as part of Japan's currency reform.
The Koin 5 Yen was designed to be a convenient and widely accepted form of currency, making it easy for people to conduct transactions. Its widespread use helped to modernize Japan's economy.
In terms of physical appearance, the Koin 5 Yen features a distinctive design with various security features to prevent counterfeiting.
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Types of Koin 5 Yen
There are several types of koin 5 yen, including the 1947-1951, 1951-1955, and 1955-1957 series.
The 1947-1951 series features a portrait of the Japanese monarch, Emperor Hirohito, on the obverse side.
These coins were minted in various denominations, including the 5 yen coin.
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Gold (1870–1930)
Gold was a significant component of five yen coins during the period from 1870 to 1930. The gold five yen coin was produced during this time.
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The production of gold five yen coins was impacted by World War I, specifically a gold embargo imposed by the United States in 1917. This embargo was later lifted in June 1919, but the Japanese government continued to import gold to reinforce the gold reserve of the Bank of Japan.
Government officials at the time believed that no inflation could occur as long as the percentage of gold cover had not been lowered. Some gold coins were paid out between 1920 and 1928 in very small amounts.
The gold embargo was later lifted in January 1930, only for it to be re-imposed on December 31, 1931. Five yen coins were last minted in gold during this brief time to act as a reserve for gold certificates.
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Modern (1948–)
The modern five yen coin has a rich history. It was first authorized by the Japanese government in 1948. These new coins were made of a brass alloy consisting of 60 to 70% copper and 30 to 40% zinc.
The use of this alloy combination is a remnant from when World War II era weapons were scrapped to produce the coins. The coins feature a pigeon within a circle on one side and the National Diet on the other. They were only minted for two years.
Two different varieties were made in 1949, which included the old pigeon type coins and new coins featuring a hole in the center. The hole was added to save material costs. The first holed five yen coins use an old style Japanese script known as Kaisho.
The design of the coin has not changed much since then. The final design, which is minted today, uses a modern style script which was first added in 1959.
Here's a quick rundown of the materials used in five yen coins over the years:
In 1999, five yen coins made headlines due to their connection to the nuclear accident at Tokai, Ibaraki. Physicists showed how the coin could be used to estimate neutron dosage to the surrounding population by measuring its zinc isotope ratios.
The coins were also used to give insight about shielding modern Japanese houses as they were recovered from indoors. Very few five yen coins were minted between 2009 and 2013, making them premium coins for collectors.
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Coin Design
The design of the 5 yen coin is quite interesting. The lettering on the coin is written in a style that reflects the era in which it was minted.
In the Shōwa Kaisho style, the lettering reads "日本國" which translates to "State of Japan". This is a nod to the country's official name during that time.
The coin also features the year of minting, with the Shōwa era being a period of significant change and growth in Japan.
The obverse of the coin features the same lettering, with the year of minting written as "昭和二十三年" which translates to "Year 23 of Shōwa". This is a clear indication of the coin's age and historical significance.
Here's a breakdown of the mintage and valuation of the coin over the years:
Where to Get Coins
If you're looking to get your hands on some 5 yen coins, you might be surprised to know that it's not as easy as it seems. You can't just walk into a bank and exchange a few dollars for a handful of coins.

One user, Nick, was on a mission to collect at least 20 five yen coins with the distinctive hole in the center. He was living in a small city in the US and had no idea where to start. Luckily, he found two 5 yen coins at home and was willing to send them to others who were looking.
You can try checking with friends or family members who might have some spare coins lying around. Dale, for example, offered to send Nick some of his 5 yen coins if he provided his mailing address. It's a great example of how a little kindness can go a long way.
If you're still having trouble finding 5 yen coins, you might want to consider checking with online communities or forums where people might be willing to trade or give away coins. Nick was able to get some coins from other users, including Tokyonet, who offered to send him some 5 and 1 yen coins.
However, exchanging a large amount of money for coins at a bank might not be the most practical solution. As Nick pointed out, exchanging $300 USD for yen might be excessive for just a few coins.
Japanese Coin Information
The Japanese 5 yen coin has a unique cultural significance in Japan, due to the homophone of "go en" (五円) with "go-en" (御縁), meaning causal connection or relationship.
The coin was first introduced in 1949, and it's made of brass, weighing 3.75 grams and measuring 22 millimeters in diameter and 1.51 millimeters in thickness.
A total of 14,765,003,200 of these coins were minted from 1949 to 2010, which is a staggering number.
The coin features a hole in the center, measuring 5 millimeters in diameter, and is inscribed with the coin's value, "五円", underneath the hole.
On the obverse side, the coin displays the state title, "日本国", and the year of minting, separated by tree shoots, which represent the country's natural resources.
The reverse side of the coin depicts a rice plant growing out of water and a gear around the coin's hole, symbolizing the key elements of Japan's first-sector economy: agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and industry.
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