2019 Japan Gold/Cuni Emperor Akihito Enthronement 30th Anniversary 2-Piece Set NGC PF70UC First Day of Issue

Demand for the “Emperor’s Gold” Explodes Overseas

When was the last time you ever heard about a modern coin set with a demand 15 times greater than its mintage? If your answer is “never,” read on!

These 2019-dated coins were released to honor the 30th Anniversary of Japanese Emperor Akihito’s Enthronement. The initial mintage was a relatively small 27,000 two-coin sets and proved to be an immense hit right out of the gate. The Japan Mint received nearly 416,000 purchase applications and had to resort to a lottery system to determine who would own these coins in the Asian markets. Luckily, 3,000 sets were set aside for foreign buyers and we did our best to secure as many of those sets as possible.

The two legal-tender coins included in the set are a 10,000 Yen coin struck in 20 grams of 99.9% gold and a 7-gram copper-nickel (CuNi) coin bearing a denomination of 500 Yen. The gold coin is a superb creation that depicts a mighty phoenix, its wings spread wide, in representation of the emperor. Why a fiery bird? It’s simple: An actual image of the emperor is typically never used as it is considered disrespectful to depict an emperor on coinage. The copper-nickel coin features the Ceremonial Carriage, which transported then-Crown Prince Akihito and his bride, Miss Michiko Shōda, on their wedding day 60 years ago. The reverse of each coin features the Imperial Crest of the Chrysanthemum – an image that has graced Japanese coins for centuries.

The coins in this 2019 Japan 30th Anniversary of Emperor Akihito Enthronement Set have been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in flawless Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70UC) condition, a distinction that means your perfectly-graded proofs will have ZERO imperfections – showing all features and fields exactly as the engraver and mint intended. In addition, NGC has graded these proofs to be First Day of Issue (FDI) coins, meaning they were received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository by the release date or on the business day within 24 hours of the official release date.

The son of Japan’s infamous Emperor Hirohito, under whose reign Japan attacked nearly all of its Asian neighbors, allied itself with Nazi Germany and launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor; Akihito succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1989 upon the death of his father. Now 85 and in declining health, Akihito had previously announced that he would abdicate in 2019, thus elevating his oldest son Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan, who will be the first emperor born after World War II. Commemorating the 60th wedding anniversary of Akihito and Michiko Shōda is very significant because their marriage caused quite a stir because it broke 1,500 years of tradition when the future emperor married a commoner. Quite a feat for the 125th member of the world’s oldest reigning dynasty!

As the first emperor to abdicate in more than 200 years, Akihito has captured the attention of not just Japan and its Asian neighbors but the entire world itself. His life, reign and decision to retire is a massive history-making event. Based on demand alone, these coins are sure to become one of 2019’s hottest international issues. Hurry and secure yours now!

• CELEBRATING 30 YEARS ON THE THRONE – These coins are the final coins dedicated to His Majesty Japanese Emperor Akihito’s 30th anniversary enthronement. He is depicted as a mighty phoenix on the gold coin. The copper-nickel coin displays the Ceremonial Carriage, which transported then-Crown Prince Akihito and his bride on their wedding day 60 years ago. The reverse of each coin shows the Imperial Crest of the Chrysanthemum.

• STRUCK IN HIGHLY-PURE GOLD – Each gold coin in this 30th Anniversary of Emperor Akihito Enthronement Two-Piece Proof Set is struck in 20 grams of highly-pure 99.9% gold.

• LEGAL TENDER IN JAPAN – These 30th Anniversary of Emperor Akihito Enthronement are legal tender in Japan. The gold coin is 10,000 and the copper-nickel coin is 500 Yen.

• GRADED IN PERFECT PROOF CONDITION – The coins in your 2019 Japan 30th Anniversary of Emperor Akihito Enthronement Two-Piece Proof Set have been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as being in flawless Proof-70 Ultra Cameo (PF70UC) condition.

• KEY FIRST DAY OF ISSUE CERTIFICATION – NGC has graded each coin in your 30th Anniversary of Emperor Akihito Enthronement Two-Piece Proof Set to be a First Day of Issue (FDI) coin.

• LOW LIMITED EDITION – The 2019 Japan 30th Anniversary of Emperor Akihito Enthronement Two-Piece Proof Set is limited to just 27,000 with only 3,000 authorized for foreign distribution.

Worldwide demand for the 2019 Japan 30th Anniversary of Emperor Akihito Enthronement Two-Piece Proof Set has been overwhelming. Don’t miss out on this incredible numismatic event. Click one to your cart today while they are still available!