A set of coins that are manufactured at the Mint. (1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen manufactured in Heisei 18(2006)
A different one is produced every year according to the Chinese zodiac signs of the year. This time, it was manufactured in Heisei 18(2006).
Commemorative coins are made of brass. The obverse of the coin depicts a dog in reference to the fact that the Chinese zodiac signs of Heisei 18 are the Year of the dog.
In addition, Japan has the concept of a calendar using 10 kanji called “十干(Jikkan)”, which includes 甲, 乙, 丙, 丁, 戊, 己, 庚, 辛, 壬, and 癸.
This year is the year of ‘丙（Hinoe）’.
The combination of the Chinese zodiac signs and the “jikkan” is called “干支（Eto）”.
The reverse side of the coin is engraved with the number “2006” in the year of issue and Eto is “丙戌（Hinoe Inu）”.
