The Finance Ministry said Tuesday it will issue commemorative ¥1,000 coins marking the 100th anniversary of the 1926 start of the Showa Era.
The coins will be priced at ¥34,800 apiece. The obverse design features a Shinkansen bullet train, Tokyo Tower and expressways in color, symbolizing postwar reconstruction and rapid economic growth. The reverse depicts Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms and doves.
A total of 40,000 coins will be issued. Japan Mint will accept applications for about three weeks starting Aug. 20.
This marks the first coin honoring a Japanese era since silver coins were issued in 2018 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the start of the Meiji Era.
Made of pure silver, the Showa coin has a diameter of 40 millimeters and weighs 31.1 grams. Amid rising silver prices, the coin is expected to be the highest-priced commemorative issue, alongside the coins for the Asian Games to be held in Aichi Prefecture this autumn.
