The 5,000 yen coin is a denomination of the Japanese yen used only for commemoratives struck by the Japan Mint. These are made only for collectors who purchase them directly from the mint at a premium. 5000 yen commemorative coins have historically been struck in a silver alloy since 1990. This practice changed in 2021 when gold was used for the first time for a coin celebrating 150 years of Japan's modern currency system. Measurements for the coins in terms of width and weight have remained the same except for the gold issue when these were lowered. Earlier coins were also once struck in the millions before the alloy change took place. History The first 5000 yen coins were struck in 1990 (year 2 of Heisei) in a sterling silver alloy to commemorative three different occasions. For the Osaka Garden Exposition, coins were minted that feature a right facing bust of the goddess Flora with flowers in her hair on the obverse. The reverse of the coin meanwhile features the official logo used for the event which was in the form of a flower. Two centennials are celebrated on the other issues which include Japan's Judiciary System and National Diet. The latter of these coins features the diet building on the obverse and "100 years since establishment of congress" on the reverse. Mintage figures for these first issues are 10,000,000 coins struck for Osaka, and 5,000,000 each for the two centennials respectfully. Only one commemorative coin was struck in 1993 which celebrates the wedding of then Crown Prince of Japan Naruhito to then princess Masako. These were the first 5,000 yen coins to be struck in both regular (uncirculated) and proof format, and were issued in box sets along with 500 and 50,000 yen wedding commemoratives. The design chosen for the 5000 yen coin depicts a pair of cranes in flight on the obverse, while the reverse has the Imperial Crest. These coins are unique to other 5000 yen silver coins that have been struck up to the present as a pure silver alloy was used for this occasion. 5000 yen commemorative coins were minted again in sterling silver to celebrate the 1998 Winter Olympics, which were held in the Japanese city of Nagano. The actual production of the coins however, took place in 1997 (9th year of Heisei) and lasted into 1998 (Heisei 10). They were then released in