Coins to mark 20th anniversary of Emperor's enthronement

Japan will issue 100,000 ¥10,000 gold coins and 10 million ¥500 nickel-brass coins later this year to mark the 20th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's enthronement, the Finance Ministry said Friday.

Collector's item: The front of a gold 10,000 yen coin marking the 20th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's enthronement is shown. KYODO PHOTO

The pure-gold coin will depict a phoenix and the Imperial Palace's Nijubashi double-arched bridge on the front and the chrysanthemum seal on the reverse. It will weigh 20 grams and measure 28 mm in diameter.

The gold coin's production cost is expected to be more than ¥10,000, so it will be sold for more than the face value.

The nickel-brass coin will have two chrysanthemums on the front and the chrysanthemum seal on the reverse.

These coins can be bought for cash at banks from around November.