50 yen coin

Fifty Yen

Japan
Value	49 us cents Japanese yen
Mass	4 g
Diameter	21 mm
Shape	circular
Center hole diameter	4 mm
Composition	Cupronickel Copper 75%, Nickel 25%
Years of minting	1967–present
Obverse
File:50 Yen Rückseite.jpg
Reverse
File:50 Yen Vorderseite.jpg

The 50 yen coin (五十円硬貨, Gojū-en kōka) is a denomination of Japanese yen. The current design was first minted in 1967.

History

The first 50 yen coin was issued in 1955 and featured a chrysanthemum viewed from the side on the reverse and a stylized ancient weight on the obverse. The coin had a diameter of 25 mm, and was 100% nickel.

In 1959, the design was modified, adding a hole in the center due to complaints that the design was confusing with the 100 yen coin, and changing the reverse side to show a chrysanthemum viewed from above. The metallurgy remained unchanged. This design was issued every year from 1959 to 1966.

The current design for the 50 Yen coin was first issued in 1967. The metallurgy was changed to a ratio of 75-25 copper-nickel, with the diameter of the coin reduced to 21 mm, and the weight reduced from 5.0 grams to 4.0 grams. The size of the center hole was reduced from 6 mm in diameter to 4 mm. The reverse side retained the use of a chrysanthemum motif, showing three smaller flowers flanking the center hole.

Designs

• 50yen-S30.jpg

  50 Yen coin from 1955-1958

• 50yen-S34.jpg

  50 Yen coin from 1959-1966

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  50 Yen coin from 1967-present