where can i get 5 yen coins?

I am looking to get atleast 20 five yen coins to add to my collection of japanese items. I love how the 5 yen coins have the hole in the center and how they look. I live in a small city in the US and I have no idea as to how I could find any. Could someone please help!!!

I found two at home. I'll send them to you if you're in the CONUS. Just PM your mail address.

Dale

Sorry, I forgot to login when I posted this post. Really, you would send them to me? That would be great. does anyone else know where i could find anymore yen coins?

Do you like the 50 yen coin too? I have one. No 5's.

Lol I have trouble getting rid of 5 yen coins. Damn vending machines won't take them.

I will take any yen coins that I can find... so far I only have three 1 yen coins. Would any of you be willing to send me some?

I'm in Australia, but sure :) Just pm me your mailing address. I'll keep the 100yen coins, but you're more than welcome to the 8 1yen coins, that 50yen I mentioned and 3 10yen if you like. I'm sure I can survive without that whopping 88yen ;)

Hey Nick, I got some 5 and 1 yen coins for you too. Send me your address.

this is a cool thread

Thanks so much guys. You have all been a big help. I can't wait to see them.

Did you know that you can float a one yen coin on water? That's how light they are!!!!!

Are 5 yen coins as light as 1 yen coins?

No, they sink!

Here are some data and trivia about yen coins, though I don't think of a good answer to your first question.

I love how the 5 yen coins have the hole in the center and how they look.

Do you know the concept of graphic design for the 5-yen coin?
Each of the four graphic figures (three on one side, one pair on the other side) is representing something.

Maybe all 5-yen coins you are going to get are the current version with characters in a Gothic font.
- http://www.boj.or.jp/note_tfjgs/note/valid/img/coin_5f_03.jpg
- http://www.boj.or.jp/note_tfjgs/note/valid/img/coin_5b_03.jpg
The older version ( -1958) has characters in a neat handwriting font;
and, among them a kanji character meaning a country is in an old shape.
- http://www.boj.or.jp/note_tfjgs/note/valid/past_issue/img/coin_5f_02.j...
- http://www.boj.or.jp/note_tfjgs/note/valid/past_issue/img/coin_5b_02.j...

The both versions of 5-yen coins are 3.75 g in mass, which is equal to monme (abbreviated as me) and one-thousandth of kan in the old Japanese shakkan measurement system.

As to 10-yen coins, the difference between the older and the current versions is on the edge.
The current version has a smooth edge, while the older version ( -1958) has a serrated edge.
I have two older-version 10-yen coins in my wallet, though their edges have got smoother.

There have been two versions also of 500-yen coins, but they are practically different types.
They differ in composition, mass and graphic design.
The current type has a slantwise-serrated edge and a surface with a latent image.
- http://www.boj.or.jp/note_tfjgs/note/valid/img/coin_500_02.jpg
These features are meant to prevent fake coins,
and it seems that the older type of 500-yen coins are being withdrawn for the same purpose.
Now in these days, all 500-yen coins I get from vending machines are the current version.

Japanese yen coins
: 1-yen coin, 1.0 g, 20.0 mm, 1955 -, aluminum;
: 5-yen coin, 3.75 g, 22.0 mm, 1959 -, brass
/ (older ver.), 3.75 g, 22.0 mm, 1949 -1958, brass;
: 10-yen coin, 4.5 g, 23.5 mm, 1959 -, bronze
/ (older ver.), 4.5 g, 23.5 mm, 1951 -1958, bronze;
: 50-yen coin, 4.0 g, 21.0 mm, 1967 -, cupronickel;
: 100-yen coin, 4.8 g, 22.6 mm, 1967 -, cupronickel;
: 500-yen coin, 7.0 g, 26.5 mm, 2000 -, brass-nickel
/ (older ver.), 7.2 g, 26.5 mm, 1982 -1999, cupronickel.

This has turned out to be a refreshing, informative, lovely thread. I've just learned a lot about Japanese coins. Thanks Sandy and Omotenashi!
On the topic of currency, every time we've been to Japan, we have been given 2000 yen notes by the bank here in Australia, but have been told they're actually uncommon. Why is that?

Sal1980,

Off the original topic, but...

The 2000-yen notes were issued in the year 2000 (when else), but somehow it never got really widely circulated - shops found it difficult to find another slot for the new bill in their cashier machines, shop clerks found it easy to confuse the 1000-yen and 2000-yen bills, ATM and numerous vending machines were not modified to accommodate this denomination...

There is even an academic paper linked to Wiki's description of the bill:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_yen_note

I've seen them only on several occasions - my husband's former employer used to pay salary in cash (amazing...) and they had the habit of putting in 2000-yen bills. I guess they got them fresh from the bank. And only once or twice I got one as part of change at a post office.

Personally I think it is a very pretty bill, but it may be true that a bill of that denomination was not really what the public wildly needed... :)

Oops, sorry for breaking the rules there. I got into the conversation of it all and didn't think about the thread hijack viewpoint. I really appreciate the response.

All of this information has been a great help in allowing me to expand my knowledge on japanese currency. And, I thank you all for this information. Alot of you have generously offered me a few of your yen coins, and I thank you all sooo much for your kindness. If possible I am wondering if anyone else would have a few extra 5 yen coins. All of the others are great as well, and I would love to see them in person. I have only seen a 1 yen coin, and I was wanting to add to my collection of all things Japanese. The five yen ones are so unique do to the hole in the center, and those are the ones that I would really like to find. Thank you all very much. I owe you all a big thanks.

can't you exchange for some at your bank?

Not unless I want to exchange $300 USD for yen. I only want a few more 5 yen coins... not a small fortune. This is why I am asking for help on this forum.