Colorful Scenery, Flora and Fauna of Japan On New Coins The popularity of the United States' series of 50 State

e Quarters, issued from 1999 via 2008, probably inspired Japan to launched its most ambitious series of commemorative coins in 2008commemorating the 47 Prefectures-and the series will run via 2016. But whilst the State Quarters were issued in un-circulated condition, made from copper-nickel and issued by the millions, the big Prefecture 40mm. coins are becoming minted in gem proof quality from 99.9% pure silver, restricted to 100,000 of each-and they picture nearby scenery, flora and fauna, etc. in full color. Japans current prefecture system was established by the Meiji government in July 1871. Although there had been initially over 300 prefectures, this number was decreased to 72 in the latter component of 1871, and 47 in 1888. The Nearby Autonomy Law of 1947 gave more political power to prefectures, and installed prefectural governors and parliaments. The Prefecture Coin Program was launched having a coin commemorating Hokkaido, the largest prefecture of Japan, an island located off the coast with the northernmost component with the nation. It functions Red-crowned cranes flying over Lake Toya, a volcanic lake found in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The reverse design-common towards the entire prefecture series-features snow crystals, a crescent moon and cherry blossoms. The second prefecture coin honors Kyoto. Situated within the middle of the country, for most of its history Kyoto was known as the Imperial Capitol of Japan. Although the capitol of Japan has been changed to Tokyo, Kyoto remains Japans cultural capitol. The Kyoto coin functions designs and images that are particular to that prefecture. As such, the Kyoto coin functions a scene from The Picture Scroll of the Tale of Genji (National Treasure of Japan). Subsequent is the Shimane prefecture coin, in the Prefecture series, that should be of unique interest to numismatists since it features a 16th century silver coin-called Otoriosame-Chogin-minted from ore derived from the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, situated in Oda City in the center of Shimane, that operated from 1526 via 1923. Additionally, the official flower of the prefecture-peoniesare pictured in full color. Prefecture Coin number four functions Nagano, well-known as the site for the 1998 Winter Olympics. Nagano is surrounded by mountains which stand three,000 meters above the sea level, known as the Japan Alps, which are depicted on the coin. The fifth coin in the series features the magnificent Japanese Crested Ibis flying over Sado (Sadogashima) Island within the prefecture of Niigata. This really is a sight that was nearly lost forever near the finish of the last century. In 1952, the species was designated a Special Natural Monument, and in 1960 it was listed as an internationally protected species-but the nearby population died off. Fortunately in 1981, a Chinese researcher discovered seven wild Crested Ibises in Shaanxi Province, China. The protected Chinese population began to boost, and in 1990, 25

ibis chicks had been captured and placed in a protection and rearing centre. Eventually they started to create young, and within a decade there were more than 130 Crested Ibises in captivity. So, the Japanese Crested Ibis appears to be on the road to recovery, with the total population of wild and captive birds currently higher than 600. The program aims to reintroduce 60 ibises to Japan by 2015. There are currently 10 free-flying on Sado Island, five males and five females, all fitted with GPS tracking devices. Nara is featured on the sixth Prefecture coin. Nara was the ancient capital of Japan, even older than Kyoto. The coin photos the ancient ball game of Kemari being played before the Former Imperial Audience Hall at Heijo Palace in the Heijo-kyo Capital, that is celebrating its 1300th Anniversary in 2010. It has been preserved as a national historic site along with a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site-and is now being reconstructed. The seventh Prefecture coin commemorates Ibaraki a center of science and technologylocated close to Tokyo. The design appropriately functions the H-II Launch Vehicle, the very first rocket produced in Japan using only domestic technologies developed in the National Space Development Agency of Japan in this prefecture. In the background is Mt. Tsukuba, that is admired for its graceful shape and is frequently compared with Mt. Fuji. The official American distributor of Japans Prefecture coins is Panda America, http://www.PandaAmerica.com or call 800-472-6327. By on one piece manga