Tuesday, February 21, 2012

2015 Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Coins

Japan  Ministry of Finance has decided to issue commemorative coins for the Great East Japan Earthquake reconstruction project. The 1,000-yen silver and 10,000-yen gold commemorative coins will be issued  in fiscal 2015. The special commemorative coins will be given to investors who purchased special government bonds sold to raise funds for reconstruction work. The commemorative coins will be issued in four series, coins in this post are the first series. The designs for the second, third and fourth series will be selected through the contest to be held by the Japan Ministry of Finance and the Japan Mint.


Gambaro Nippon coin

On the coin obverse will bear the design of the lone pine tree that survived the tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, and doves. The tree, dubbed by residents the "miracle pine" has become a symbol of the city's reconstruction. On that side the words "Gambaro Nippon" (Let's keep it up, Japan) will be inscribed.

On the reverse, the silver 1,000-yen coin will depict a large fishing ship and an ear of rice, while the other side of the 10,000-yen coin, which is gold, will show a map of the government's designated special economic zones in the disaster-hit areas and doves.

10,000yen Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Project Gold Coin


Material Pure gold
Weight 15.6g(1/2 troy ounce)
Diameter 26.0mm
Sales Price Under consideration
Mintage Limited issuance

1,000yen Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Project Silver Coin


Material: Pure silver
Weight: 31.1g(1 troy ounce)
Diameter: 40.0mm
Sales Price: Under consideration
Mintage: Limited issuance


One 10,000-yen gold coin will be given for every 10 million yen's worth of reconstruction bonds as of April 15, 2015. A 1,000-yen silver coin will be offered for every 1 million yen's worth. Reconstruction bonds for individuals will be on sale at financial institutions all over Japan from March 5 to 30. The bonds will be issued on April 16 with a 10-year redemption period. The interest rate for the first three years will be 0.05 percent. It will become a floating rate from the fourth year, reviewed every six months.

Source: Japan Mint