Author Topic: Japan: Collector coins support post-tsunami reconstruction (Read 2834 times)

Bimat · « **on:** February 21, 2012, 02:45:43 PM »

Japan to issue commemorative coins in support of reconstruction efforts

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan will issue 1,000-yen and 10,000-yen commemorative coins in fiscal 2015 to investors holding bonds being sold next month to support efforts to rebuild areas hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the government said Tuesday.

The coins will be given to investors who purchased special government bonds sold to raise funds for reconstruction work, the Finance Ministry said.

Both coins 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.

The other side of 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.

"I am hoping issuing the commemorative coins will further heighten the momentum in rebuilding efforts for the revival of Japan," Finance Minister Jun Azumi told a news conference.

The ministry said it will present the coins to individuals who purchased "reconstruction bonds" and based on their value three years after issue.

Some of the coins will also be sold to the public.

The government will issue the coins four times and publicly solicit designs from the second issue.

According to the ministry, 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 nationwide 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.

(Mainichi Japan) February 21, 2012

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Bimat · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2012, 05:13:42 AM »

Japan government mint 9-year-old's coin

Thursday, 31st May 2012

A nine-year-old boy from Japan will be the country's youngest-ever designer of a memorial coin after his idea was chosen to be one of those specially minted by the government.

A series of six coins are being issued to commemorate the post-earthquake reconstruction effort, and Taichi Kojima's artwork was chosen to feature on one of them, the Daily Yomiuri reported.

They will be given to anyone who purchases government bonds that are being sold to fund the rebuilding project in areas ruined by the tsunami and earthquake.

The Odawara municipal Kuno Primary School fourth grade pupil's design was chosen from a total of 2,673 entries and depicts a boy waving Japanese flags, beside which the words "Ganbaro Nippon" (Hang on Japan) are written.

"I drew the design with the belief that we should stay strong together," Kojima told the news provider.

It is 27 years since the government last commissioned public designs for coins and only the third time it has ever done so. Previous celebratory coins were issued for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and the Tsukuba Exposition in 1985.

Earlier this year, a Japanese boy was reunited with his football after it floated across the Pacific and was discovered on a North American beach still bearing his name.

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Bimat · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2015, 04:16:25 PM »

Here they are...

The gold coin (¥10,000) weighs 15.6g (26mm) while silver coin (¥1000) weighs 31.1g (40mm).

The obverse of the first series gold coin features “Special Zones for Reconstruction and Doves” in hope for the radiant future of the affected community, while that of the silver coin depicts “Large fishing boat and Ears of rice,” representing the regional industry: agriculture and fishery.

The reverse side is common in both gold and silver coins: “Miracle Pine and Doves.” Miracle Pine is the only pine tree that survived the tsunami in one of the most devastated area, after which it became known as a symbol of hope for people living there.

Aditya