100 yen coin

History

The first 100 yen coin was issued in 1957 and featured a phoenix on the reverse. It featured English language writing in addition to Japanese. This design was issued in 1957 and in 1958.

In 1959, the design was modified, removing the English wording, and changing the reverse side to show a sheaf of rice. The metallurgy remained unchanged. This design was issued every year from 1959 to 1966.

The current design for the 100 Yen coin was first issued in 1967. The metallurgy was changed from the former 60-30-10 ratio of silver-copper-zinc to a ratio of 75-25 copper-nickel, with the weight and diameter of the coin unchanged. The reverse side was changed to show sakura blossoms and the denomination in Japanese.

The coin shares, with the 50 yen coin, the emperor's rule date (28 in 2016) expressed with Latin numerals instead of in Japanese numerals.

Commemoratives

In 1964, a 100 yen coin was issued to mark the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The obverse featured the Olympic torch and Olympic rings while the reverse re-introduced English-language text.

In 1970 a 100 Yen coin was issued to mark Expo 70 in Osaka.

In 1972 a 100 yen coin commemorated the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo. The Olympic Torch remained on the obverse while the rings moved to the reverse.

A coin marked Expo '75 in Okinawa.

In 1976 a 100-yen coin marked the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Hirohito. A large chrysanthemum, symbolising the Japanese Imperial Family, featured on the reverse.

In 2015, a new series of 100 yen coins was introduced to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Tōkaidō Shinkansen train service. The coins are minted under a different composition of cupronickel, consisting of 87.5% copper and 12.5% nickel.

Showa

The following are circulation dates which cover Emperor Hirohito's reign. The dates below correspond with the 32nd to the 64th year (last) of his reign. One hundred yen coins had three main different designs, but there was no overlap in mintage between them. Coins for this period will all begin with the Japanese symbol 昭和 (Showa).

Japanese coins are read with a left to right format:

"Emperors name" -> "Number representing year of reign" -> "Year" (Ex: 昭和 -> 53 -> 年).

Heisei

The following are circulation dates in the reign of the current Emperor. Akihito was crowned in 1989, which is marked with a 元 symbol on the coin as a one year type. Coins for this period all begin with the Japanese symbol 平成 (Heisei).

Japanese coins are read with a left to right format:

"Emperors name" -> "Number representing year of reign" -> "Year" (Ex: 平成 -> 16 -> 年).