Japanese Coins

New ¥500 coin. Obverse: paulownia. Reverse: bamboo at top and mandarin orange branches at the sides. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

Old ¥500 coin. Obverse: paulownia. Reverse: bamboo and mandarin oranges. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

¥100 coin. Obverse: cherry blossoms. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

¥50 coin. Obverse: chrysanthemums. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

¥10 coin. Obverse: Phoenix Hall at the Byōdō-in temple. Reverse: tokiwa (evergreen) tree. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

¥5 coin. Obverse: rice stalk, gear, and water. Reverse: leaf sprouts. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

¥1 yen. Obverse: sapling. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

(Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

(Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

A ¥10,000 coin issued in 2009 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Emperor Akihito’s enthronement. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)

The ¥1,000 shinkansen fiftieth anniversary commemorative coin issued in 2014. (Courtesy of the Japan Mint)