page_title: 5 yen coin
section_title: Shōwa
hierarchical_section_title: 5 yen coin / Circulation figures / Shōwa
caption_attribution_description: English: Japan 5 yen coin
context_page_description: The 5 yen coin 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 1948–1958 using "old-script" Japanese characters. Five-yen coins date to 1870. The modern-day coin was first produced in 1948 with a different styled inscription. This was changed in 1959 and the design has remained unchanged since.
  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 Hindu-Arabic numerals on either face.
context_section_description: The following are circulation dates which cover Emperor Hirohito's reign. The dates below correspond with the 23rd to the 64th year (last) of his reign. All five yen coins that were made before 1959 use kyūjitai, or old script Japanese. In 1949 only, two different styles of writing were used before a more modern one was established in 1950. This second style of writing was used until 1958 when the current script of Japanese took its place in the following year. Coins for this period will all begin with the Japanese symbol 昭和 (Shōwa). 
  Japanese coins are read with a left to right format:
  "Emperor's name" → "Number representing year of reign" → "Year" (Ex: 昭和 → 四十八 → 年).
caption: Closeup of the "Old script" design
  (Pre-1959)
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