5 rin coin

Five rin coins are first mentioned in new coinage laws that were passed in 1897 when Japan officially switched to the gold standard.

[3] Initially the quality of this new "five rin" coin was set in a similar bronze alloy consisting of 95% copper, and 5% tin and zinc.

[2] However, only patterns were struck towards the end of Emperor Meiji's reign as the urgent task at the time was to manufacture gold and silver coins in accordance with the new law.

[4] By this time, the "five rin" coin had been reduced in diameter from the size of a half sen (21.8mm) down to 18.78mm and weighed over a gram less.

[3] Their mintage period was brief as five rin coins were discontinued after only four years of production due to their sharp decline in monetary value.