Weekly World Mint Coinage: August 20, 2026

Japan - Mint of Japan

Silver Proof and Colour Coins Mark Centenary Anniversary of the Showa Era.

This year, Japan acknowledges the centenary anniversary of the longest imperial reign since the change to hereditary Imperial rule. Prior to this system of government established in 1867, Japan was ruled by a hereditary military dictatorship that held absolute power from 1603 to 1867.

A pivotal figure is Emperor Shōwa, given name of Hirohito who reigned from 1926 and ending in 1989, the longest era in modern Japanese history lasting 62 years and which the Japanese nation commemorates this year.

The Shōwa era remains central to Japan’s modern identity. Remembered as a time of hardship, resilience, and extraordinary transformation, the Shōwa era saw Japan recover from devastating conditions with the conclusion of World War II, able to reinvent itself politically and socially while continuing to honour centuries-old traditions. The first two decades of the Shōwa period were dominated by political turmoil and militarisation following the Great Depression. Economic hardship led to the rise of ultra-nationalism which saw Japan aggressively invading Manchuria, a rich region in China, marking the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Japan’s humiliating defeat in World War II brought sweeping change. For the first time in its history, the country was occupied by foreign powers under American leadership. The Emperor’s role was transformed from divine sovereign to symbolic figurehead, while democratic institutions were introduced under a new constitution.

From 1947 onwards and with a new constitution defining the duties of the Emperor and the Imperial family, Japan became a significant economic powerhouse on the world stage during the remainder of the 20th century that saw rapid post-war economic growth and positioning itself as a primary source for global technological domination. From the 1950s, Japan embarked on what came to be called the ‘Japanese Miracle’ as Industrial production boomed, cities modernised and the country emerged as one of the world’s leading economies. Advances in technology, infrastructure and design also shaped a new global identity for the nation.

The silver Proof and colour coins are produced by the Mint of Japan at their facilities in Osaka on behalf of the Ministry of Japan. The obverse depicts in colour, a composition of the events representing the Shōwa era. Featured is an image of the Series 0 train which operated along the Shinkansen lines until 2008. Behind the train is the Tokyo radio and television tower, representing the technological advances. To the right is a group of Japanese men and women in western clothing representative of the early 1930s and the start of the Shōwa era. In the background is an expressway built over a river together with modern skyscrapers symbolising Japan's post-war reconstruction and dynamic economic growth. To the right is a placard that depicts the official centenary anniversary logo 昭 和 100年 1926 - 2026. (Shōwa Era 100 Years 1926 - 2026). Above the primary design along the upper rim is the Japanese text日 本国 (Nippon koku). The reverse features an image of Mount Fuji, a national natural landmark, centred together with illustrations of sakura blossoms at its foot, and against the mountain backdrop, three doves, symbolising peace. The design is intentionally reminiscent of Japan’s 1000 yen silver commemorative coin issued to mark the XVIII Olympiad held in Tokyo in 1964, the first Olympic Games hosted in Asia and officiated by Emperor Shōwa. Above the primary design along the upper rim is the Japanese text 昭 和 百 年 (Centennial of the Shōwa Era). Below the image of Mount Fuji is the text denoting HIM Naruhito’s era and year of issue 令 和 8 年 (year 8 of Reiwa Era) equating to 2026.

Each silver Proof and colour coin will be encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity in Japanese and English text. For additional information, visit the Mint of Japan’s list of authorised distributors.  

Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan Mint

Silver Proof and Colour Coins Mark Historic Regional Anniversary

The National Bank of Kazakhstan released new coins as part the series entitled “Unforgettable Events and Exceptional People”. For 2026, the topic focuses on the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth of Independent States – CIS, a regional international organisation founded on the 8th December 1991. The formal dissolution of the USSR as a sovereign state occurred on the 26th December 1991, driven by factors including the rise of a desire by the republics comprising the USSR to re-establish their independence and usher in democratic reforms.

The silver Proof and colour coins are produced by the Kazakhstan Mint at their facilities in Oskemen, East Kazakhstan on behalf of the National Bank. The obverse shows the official emblem of the CIS which features a yellow sun/circle held up by a framework of vertical, bending white bars on a dark blue circular field, symbolising unity and equitable partnership. The emblem is off-centred near the top half and includes the anniversary years 1991 ▪ 2026 along with the inscription in both text 35 жыл ⋄ лет (35 years)Along the rim is an inscription in Kazakh and Russian Cyrillic text ТӘУЕЛСІЗ МЕМЛЕКЕТТЕР ДОСТАСТЫҒЫ ◆ СОДРУЖЕСТВО НЕЗАВИСИМЫХ ГОСУДАРСТВ (Commonwealth of Independent States) Independent States). The reverse features the national crest of the Republic of Kazakhstan off-centre towards the top half. Below the crest is the denomination 1000 ТЕҢГЕ with the specifications Ag 925 placed to the left of the face value and 31.1 g shown on the right side. Just below the crest near the lower right is the year of issue, 2026 and the insignia of the National Bank. The primary design is surrounded by the text ҚАЗАҚСТАН РЕСПУБЛИКАСЫ (Kazakhstan Republic) along the upper rim.

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, visit the e-webshop of the Kazakhstan National Bank.

Spain – Real Casa de la Moneda

2026 FIFA Victory Celebrated with Silver Proof and Colour Coins

The Fabrica Nacional Moneda y Timbre – Real Casa de la Moneda proudly offers new coins in honour of a national sporting celebration. The Spanish National squad, affectionately known as ‘La Roja’, claimed its second World Cup star in 2026.

The 2026 World Cup final had all the makings of one of the most memorable matches in tournament history. Staged on the 19th July at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey between Spain and Argentina, both teams battled for 125 minutes before the outcome was finally decided, with La Roja claiming victory. The national team also won in 2010.

Spain's World Cup-winning team returned home the day after their victory, the 26-man squad landed in the Spanish capital to a hero’s welcome with hundreds of thousands of fans lined the streets to cheer on the players. Captain Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known simply as Rodri carried the trophy as the players, coaching staff, and members of the Spanish Football Federation took part in a parade from Madrid’s airport.

The reverse of the coin features the trophy of FIFA slightly off-centre and depicted in colour along with a five-pointed star also shown in colour to the left of the trophy and the two colours of the Spanish flag to the right. In the background, the official logo is shown in silhouette. Above the trophy is the text WORLD CUP 2026 shown in the same style as the official logo. Along the lower rim below the primary design is the commemorative inscription CAMPEONES DEL MUNDO.The denomination 5 EURO is placed near the lower right and the crowned M Madrid mintmark is shown to the upper left. The obverse features a left-facing effigy of King Felipe VI. Along the upper rim is the legend FELIPE VI REY DE ESPAÑA and below between two dots is the year of minting, 2026. A beaded border surrounds the design.

Each Proof and colour quality coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, visit the e-webshop of the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre-Real Casa de la Moneda.