Japan Mint unveils special coins marking 30 years since Emperor Akihito's enthronement

OSAKA -- A ceremony marking the first minting of special 10,000 yen gold and 500 yen bronze coins commemorating the 30th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's accession to the throne was held at the Japan Mint here on Nov. 5.

The mint, located in Kita Ward of Osaka in western Japan, will accept orders for the coins with original cases until Nov. 21 via postcards and its online shop.

The 10,000 yen coin is made of pure gold and depicts a phoenix. It is 28 millimeters in diameter and weighs 20 grams. The bronze coin, featuring an image of the state carriage that was used on the occasion of Emperor Akihito's wedding, is 26.5 millimeters in diameter and weighs 7.1 grams.

The gold coin alone is priced at 138,000 yen, while the pair of coins costs 140,000 yen. Inquiries can be made by phone through an information proxy service operated by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) on (050) 5548-8686 (in Japanese).

(Japanese original by Tsuyoshi Yamada, Osaka City News Department)