Japan 500-YEN (Y191)
Oriental Stork
In 2008, Japan started the "47 Prefectures" coin program, which was completed in 2016. The program includes silver collector coins, plus circulating bi-metallic coins.
The 2012 Hyogo Prefecture coin features a pair of Oriental storks. These endangered birds were declared extinct in Japan in 1986, but using some captive birds obtained from Russia they began a breeding program, bringing the number of captive birds up to around 150 by 2011. Since 2005, Japan has been attempting to release the birds back into the wild.
All coin images in Daniel's Coin Zoo are from my personal collection. I collect, research, and personally photograph every coin displayed on this site. PLEASE do not take my images without permission. If you would like to use any coin image you see, just ask me. Thank you.
