A set that opens like Doraemon himself: for the 35th anniversary of the famous robot cat, the Japan Mint made a case in the shape of the character. It opens from the side, with the coins displayed under a clear plastic cover on one half and a music box hidden in the other, so the cheerful Doraemon theme plays every time the set is opened.

Inside are Japan’s six circulating coins of 2005, the seventeenth year of Heisei, from 1 to 500 yen, in uncirculated condition, together with a red-brass medal showing Doraemon. Created by Fujiko F. Fujio, the character has long been one of the symbols of Japanese animation, and the Mint marked his anniversary with two sets: this one and a proof set of 60,000.

Such sets belong to a whole line: in 2003 and 2004 the Japan Mint issued proof sets for the 50th anniversary of Astro Boy and the 30th anniversary of Hello Kitty. For a collection of anime, cartoons or Japanese character sets, this issue is one of the most recognisable pieces.

UNC condition: the coins have never circulated, show no wear and keep their mint lustre. The original figural case with its music box is part of the issue itself, and it is what turns the set into a gift that is a pleasure to open.

Would you like to complete the whole series? See the other issues in the VPcoins catalogue.