Japan Akihito 5 Yen

History

5 Yen 1989-2019, Y# 96, Japan, Akihito, Y# 96.2

5 Yen 1989-2019, Y# 96, Japan, Akihito, Y# 96.1

Obverse. Y# 96.2. Photo © Numismatic Guaranty Company

Description

Akihito (23 December 1933) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan who reigned as the 125th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession, from 7 January 1989 until his abdication on 30 April 2019. He succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne upon the death of his father, Emperor Showa (Hirohito). Upon abdication due to his age and declining health, he became emperor emeritus. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Naruhito.

In Japan, during his reign, Akihito was never referred to by his given name, but rather was referred to as "His Majesty the Emperor". The era of Akihito's reign from 1989 to 2019 bears the name Heisei (平成), and according to custom he will be renamed Emperor Heisei by order of the Cabinet after his death.

Obverse	State name above, date below, text separated on either side by newly sprouting plants each with two leaves. The date begins with the symbols for the era name Heisei (平成), followed by the era year, and ends with the symbol for year (年). Y# 96.1 gives the regnal year as 'first' instead of 'one'. From the second year the regnal year is given as a numeral (2,3,4,...) in Japanese numerals, hence catalog nr. Y# 96.2 日本国平成二十四年
Reverse	Device and tools (watch, compass, telescope etc.) Gear, cogwheel Tree, flower, plant etc. Rice Value and denomination. Rice plant growing on left side of coin representing agriculture; over waters at bottom of coin representing fisheries; and teeth of a cog or gear around the central hole representing industry. 五円
Edge	Plain