Japan 1979 (S54) 5 yen

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This specimen was struck for Japan by the Tokyo mint, which issued this type 1959-89. The five yen was introduced in 1948 as part of Macarthur's currency reform of 1948, which dropped all denominations under one yen. The hole was added in 1949. It is still being issued today under Akihito's name altho its purchasing power is insignificant (5 yen = US$0.03 as of July 2024).

Recorded mintage: 317,000,000.

Specification: 3.75 g, brass, 22 mm diameter, palin edge.

Catalog reference: KM Y72a.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• The Catalog of Japanese Coins and Banknotes, Tokyo: JNDA (Japanese Numismatic Dealers Assn.), 2014.

Link to:

• 1966 5 yen
• 1974 50 yen
• 1976 yen
• 1978 10 yen
• 1981 100 yen
• 1982 10 yen
• 1983 5 yen
• 1983 50 yen
• Coins and currency dated 1979