Japan 2015 Earthquake Reconstruction 1 oz Silver Proof Coin - Series I - Fishing Boat and Ears of Rice

The Japan Mint has announced the release of two coins, commemorating the earthquake & tsunami that ravaged the northeast coast of Japan in 2011. On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s eastern coastline, unleashing a devastating tsunami with 30-foot high waves which killed more than 15,000 people. The tsunami also critically damaged reactors at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant, creating one of the costliest disasters in history, with the after-effects still being felt. To commemorate the victims of this disaster and those who helped build Japan back together after the destruction, the Japan Mint will issue multiple series of Earthquake Reconstruction Coins over the next 2 years. The first release from the program features two coins: a gold 10,000-yen coin and a silver 1,000-yen coin. The gold coin weighs 15.6 grams with a mintage set at 14,000. This marks the first time in six years that the Japan Mint has issued a gold coin. The silver coin weighs 31.1 grams with a mintage limited to 60,000. The silver coin’s obverse features a colorized depiction of a large fishing boat, with flags and two rice ears. Both coins share a reverse design of the 250-year-old tree in Rikuzentakata that was the only tree on the town’s coastline left standing after the storm. Five flying doves are flying around the tree. These coins are available through official Japan Mint distributor Panda America, by calling 1-800-472-6327, or visiting our website at: www.PandaAmerica.com