Japan 5 Yen -- Rice, Fishing, Industry -- Good Luck Coin -- Circulated Condition
R 842
or 4 x payments of R210.50 with
Availability: Currently in Stock
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Japan 5 Yen -- Rice, Fishing, Industry -- Good Luck Coin -- Circulated Condition
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
***Circulated brass 5 yen, similar to example pictured in stock photo. The front of the coin depicts a rice plant growing out of the water, with "five yen" written in kanji; the back is stamped with "Japan" and the year of issue, also in kanji, separated by sprouts of a tree. The three graphic elements of the coin represent agriculture and fisheries, the key elements of the Japanese first-sector economy. Around a hole, there is a gear that represents industry. It is the only Japanese coin in circulation to lack Arabic numerals on either face. This is a file photo of a very similar 5 yen coin. These are very popular for use as jewelry charms, strung as necklaces or as good luck charms. The Japanese for "five yen," go en (??) is a homophone with go-en (??), "en" being a word for causal connection or relationship, and "go" being a respectful prefix. As a result, five-yen coins are commonly given as donations at Shinto shrines with the intention of establishing a good connection with the deity of the shrine, and is widely believed it is best to insert a single five-yen coin into a new wallet before inserting any other money.