Japan 5 Yen -- Rice, Fishing, Industry Good Luck Coin Circulated Gold

Product Details

• Historical Significance: First minted in 1959 with new-script Japanese characters, this 5 yen coin represents a rich numismatic heritage dating back to 1870 when it was originally produced in gold
• Symbolic Design: Features a distinctive rice plant growing from water on the obverse side with 'five yen' in kanji characters, while the reverse displays 'Japan' and the year of issue separated by tree sprouts
• Economic Representation: Incorporates three key elements symbolizing Japan's economy - rice plant and water representing agriculture, fisheries imagery, and a central gear symbolizing industry
• Unique Features: Distinguished as the only Japanese coin in circulation without Hindu-Arabic numerals, featuring a distinctive center hole design
• Cultural Value: Widely recognized as a good luck coin in Japanese culture, combining traditional artistic elements with monetary functionality

The 5 yen coin (, Go-en kka) is one denomination of Japanese yen. The current design was first minted in 1959 using Japanese characters known as the 'new script', and were also minted from 1948 to 1958 using 'old-script' Japanese characters. Five-yen coins date to 1870, when they were minted in gold. The modern-day coin was first produced in 1948 with a differently styled inscription, which was changed in 1959. The obverse depicts a rice plant growing out of water, with 'five yen' written in kanji. The reverse is stamped with 'Japan' and the year of issue in kanji, separated by sprouts of a tree. The coin features three graphic elements: rice plant and water representing agriculture and fisheries, and a central gear hole representing industry. It is the only Japanese coin in circulation without Hindu-Arabic numerals on either side.