The monkey is the ninth sign of the twelve-year Eastern cycle, and 1992, the fourth year of the Heisei era, was its year. This set brings together Japan’s six coins of that year, from 1 to 500 yen, with a commemorative Year of the Monkey medal.

The most meaningful coin in the line-up is the holed 5 yen. It shows an ear of rice above water and a gear around the hole: agriculture, fisheries and industry. In Japanese «five yen» is pronounced «go-en», which sounds like the word for a good bond, which is why these very coins are left as offerings at Shinto shrines.

The other coins are types the Japanese have known for decades: the aluminium 1 yen with a sapling, the Phoenix Hall on the 10 yen, chrysanthemums on the 50 yen, cherry blossoms on the 100 yen since 1967 and the cupronickel 500 yen with the paulownia crest, struck from 1982. All are dated «Heisei 4».

The set fits an Eastern-calendar series and a Heisei date run. UNC condition: the coins have never circulated, show no wear and keep their mint lustre.

If you are just starting a collection, the VPcoins catalogue makes it easy to find coins to build it around.