Our Story

The Japan Mint was established in 1871 and then, it has been the national mint and the sole producer of the legal tender coins of Japan. The challenging spirit at the time of establishment lives still in mind of each of us.

Besides, with change of the times, the Japan Mint expanded to include, in addition to the main operation of coinage, the production of orders (decorations), medals of honor and metallic art objects ; the analysis and testing of metal ores and minerals ; the fineness certification of precious metal wares (hallmarking) ; etc.

The Japan Mint pledges to secure the public trust in coinage, improve the living standards of people, and meet the expectations of society, both in Japan and abroad.

New 500-yen Coin

A new 500-yen has been introduced with the latest anti-counterfeiting technologies.

New Security Features are as following.

• Application of new technology, bicolor clad, to the materials (two-color, three-layer structure).
• Application of “helical ridges with two different pitches” to the edge of the coin. Two different pitches are applied to the helical ridges. It is the first time worldwide for this technology to be used to manufacture ordinary coins (coins for mass production).
• Micro lettering and numbers will be inscribed on the inside rim of the front of the coin.

The Japan Mint has produced annual coin sets with a new 500-yen such as MINT SET 2022.

Foreign Coins Produced by the Japan Mint

The Japan Mint has produced 15 different foreign coins since 2007 by responding to orders from the central banks and issuing authorities of 10 different countries. By applying the same sophisticated coin manufacturing technologies as those for the legal tender coin in Japan, these coins have surely satisfied our customers and the people in such countries. Some of the coins have been sold also to coin collectors in Japan and international markets through our Mint.

The most recent foreign coin we manufactured is a Bangladesh 50 Taka Silver Proof Coin to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Bangladesh- Japan Diplomatic Relations. This coin will be available also to the international customers around April 2022.

(Obverse) Logo of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Bangladesh-Japan Diplomatic Relations, Cherry blossom and Water lily (national flower of Bangladesh)

(Reverse) National Memorial in Bangladesh

For other foreign coins produced by the Japan Mint, please refer to the following link.

Others

Other Metallic Art Objects that will accept orders in the future are as follows.

• FIDEM XXXVI 2020 TOKYO JAPAN Gold Medal
• National Treasure Medal “Yakushiji Temple” (Gold, Silver)
• Three types of Oriental Zodiac Pure Gold Medal “Tiger”

Our Story

The Japan Mint was established in 1871 and then, it has been the national mint and the sole producer of the legal tender coins of Japan. The challenging spirit at the time of establishment lives still in mind of each of us.

Besides, with change of the times, the Japan Mint expanded to include, in addition to the main operation of coinage, the production of orders (decorations), medals of honor and metallic art objects ; the analysis and testing of metal ores and minerals ; the fineness certification of precious metal wares (hallmarking) ; etc.

The Japan Mint pledges to secure the public trust in coinage, improve the living standards of people, and meet the expectations of society, both in Japan and abroad.

150th Anniversary of the Japan Mint (1871-2021) Commemorative Gold Medal

The Japan Mint produced a gold medal to commemorate our 150th anniversary in collaboration with the British Royal Mint. The gold medal is exclusively for outside of Japan.

The dragon motif appeared on the obverse side of the anniversary medal was revived by using die manufactured by applying the British Royal Mint’s electronic data based on the designs of those coins struck in early days of the Japan Mint.

New 500-yen Coin

A new 500-yen has been introduced with the latest anti-counterfeiting technologies.

New Security Features are as following.

• Application of new technology, bicolor clad, to the materials (two-color, three-layer structure).
• Application of “helical ridges with two different pitches” to the edge of the coin. Two different pitches are applied to the helical ridges. It is the first time worldwide for this technology to be used to manufacture ordinary coins (coins for mass production).
• Micro lettering and numbers will be inscribed on the inside rim of the front of the coin.

The Japan Mint has produced annual coin sets with a new 500-yen such as MINT SET 2022.

Most Recent Commemorative Coins

(1) Commemorative Coins for the 150th Anniversary of Postal System

• 10,000-yen gold coin (26mm)

(Obverse)Letter collection box (Japan’s first mailbox) and a work scene of mail being loaded

(Reverse) Entrance to the former Tokyo Central Post Office

• 1,000-yen silver coin (40mm)

(Obverse) Mailbox No. 1 (round-shaped) and a work scene of mail being loaded

(Reverse) Entrance to the former Tokyo Central Post Office

(2) Commemorative Coins for the 150th Anniversary of Modern Currency System

• 10,000-yen gold coin (26mm), 5,000-yen gold coin (20mm) and 1,000-yen silver coin (40mm)

(Common Obverse) The character “圓 (yen)” with a chrysanthemum and paulownia

(Common Reverse) Design combining those of the current regular currency (six types)

Foreign Coins Produced by the Japan Mint

The Japan Mint has produced 15 different foreign coins since 2007 by responding to orders from the central banks and issuing authorities of 10 different countries. By applying the same sophisticated coin manufacturing technologies as those for the legal tender coin in Japan, these coins have surely satisfied our customers and the people in such countries. Some of the coins have been sold also to coin collectors in Japan and international markets through our Mint.

The most recent foreign coin we manufactured is a Bangladesh 50 Taka Silver Proof Coin to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Bangladesh- Japan Diplomatic Relations. This coin will be available also to the international customers around April 2022.

(Obverse) Logo of the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Bangladesh-Japan Diplomatic Relations, Cherry blossom and Water lily (national flower of Bangladesh)

(Reverse) National Memorial in Bangladesh

For other foreign coins produced by the Japan Mint, please refer to the following link.

Cloisonné Silver Medallion

The Japan Mint produces Metallic Art Objects in order to maintain and improve coin production techniques and anti-counterfeiting measures. Cloisonné Silver Medallions are part of them and produced by hand with great care and fine techniques, so possess elements of beauty and dignity.

Others

Other Metallic Art Objects that will accept orders in the future are as follows.

• FIDEM XXXVI 2020 TOKYO JAPAN Gold Medal
• National Treasure Medal “Yakushiji Temple” (Gold, Silver)
• Three types of Oriental Zodiac Pure Gold Medal “Tiger”