Japan Coin Blog

KANAGAWA Prefecture The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 1000 yen Silver Coin (神奈川)

These silver coins were issued to commemorate the enforcement of Japan's Local Autonomy Law.Each of the 47 prefectures has its own unique design.The Kanagawa Prefecture coin depicts Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, representing the ancient samurai capital of Kamakura, and yabusame horseback archery.

Commemorative CoinsThe 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 1000 yen Commemorative Silver Coin

FUKUSHIMA Prefecture The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 500 yen Bicolor Clad Coin （福島）

This page is about the commemorative 500 yen coin issued to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Japan's Local Autonomy Law. The coins introduced in this article are 福島 Prefecture's 500 yen coins.

Commemorative CoinsThe 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 500 yen Commemorative Bicolor Clad Coin

Shin(New)-Kan’ei Tsuuho Type Ashio Sen Kanpō era 足尾銭

The Kan'ei Tsūhō coin bearing the character for “足” on its reverse.To alleviate the financial hardsh...

Kan'ei Tsuuho 寛永通宝Old Coins

OKINAWA Prefecture The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 1000 yen Silver Coin (沖縄)

These silver coins were issued to commemorate the enforcement of Japan's Local Autonomy Law.Each of the 47 prefectures has its own unique design.The coins of Okinawa Prefecture feature the Main Hall of Shuri Castle, the largest wooden structure in Okinawa Prefecture, and a depiction of kumi-odori dance.

Commemorative CoinsThe 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 1000 yen Commemorative Silver Coin

Shin(New)-Kan’ei Tsuuho Type Fujisawa Sen Genroku ? – Genbun ? era 藤沢銭

This new Kan'ei Tsūhō coin has been classified as a Genbun period coin in older catalogs. However, excavation surveys have uncovered it beneath the ash of the Hōei volcano, leading to the increasingly accepted theory that it is not a Genbun period coin.Its precise date of minting remains unknown. Some speculate it may date as far back as the Genroku period.

Old Coins

AKITA Prefecture The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 1000 yen Silver Coin (秋田)

JNDA# 07-19MaterialSilverCompositionPure SilverWeight31.1grams=1.09ozDiameter40mm=1.57inYear of Prod...

Commemorative CoinsThe 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 1000 yen Commemorative Silver Coin

SAGA Prefecture The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 500 yen Bicolor Clad Coin （佐賀）

This page is about the commemorative 500 yen coin issued to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Japan's Local Autonomy Law. The coins introduced in this article are 佐賀 Prefecture's 500 yen coins.

Commemorative CoinsThe 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 500 yen Commemorative Bicolor Clad Coin

SHIGA Prefecture The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 1000 yen Silver Coin (滋賀)

These silver coins were issued to commemorate the enforcement of Japan's Local Autonomy Law.Each of the 47 prefectures has its own unique design.The coin of Shiga Prefecture features designs of Lake Biwa, the prefecture's bird, the Little Grebe(Kaitsuburi), and the scenery of the Floating Hall(Ukimidou 浮御堂) on Lake Biwa.

Commemorative CoinsThe 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law 1000 yen Commemorative Silver Coin

Foreign coins that made up for Japan’s coin shortage

In ancient Japan, coins such as the Wado Kaichin 和同開珎 were issued by the imperial court. However, these coins gradually fell out of use due to the circulation of counterfeit coins, the deterioration of coin quality due to re-melting, and a decline in trust. However, as the people began to understand the convenience of currency, coins imported from China were subsequently used in daily life. These coins imported from China are referred to as “imported coins.”

Japanese money trivia

Chinese coins that served as models for Japan’s Wado Kaichin coins.

The 和同開珎 (Wado Kaichin/Wado Kaihou) was the first coin minted among the 12 types of copper coins known as the “Kocho Jyunisen” (皇朝十二銭) issued in ancient Japan.It was once considered the oldest coin in Japan. Currently, the oldest currency in Japan is believed to be the “Fuhon Sen(富本銭)” or “Mumon Ginsen(無文銀銭).”It was modeled after the “ Kaiyuan Tongbao(開元通宝)” issued in the Tang Dynasty of China.

Japanese money trivia