1964 Tokyo Olympics 1000 Yen

This coin, issued in 1964 to mark the Tokyo Olympics, was the first Japanese currency to feature an international event on its design, blending national pride with global spectacle.

Struck from 99% silver at the Osaka Mint, it weighs 26 grams and measures 38 millimeters across, with the obverse displaying Emperor Hirohito's portrait and the reverse showcasing the Olympic rings alongside Tokyo Tower. Mintage figures are well-documented at around 20 million pieces, which kept it accessible despite its commemorative status.

While some claim these coins circulated widely, records suggest most were hoarded by enthusiasts, a pattern common for Olympic issues. The design's clean lines reflect mid-century modernism, but don't expect it to run a marathon—it's just metal, after all.

Exact export numbers remain murky, lost in postwar paperwork.