Japan to issue coins marking 100th anniversary of Showa Era
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.
