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The yen is the legal tender in Japan, and after the euro and the US dollar it is the most valued currency in the market. 

Origins and history

The word “yen” means “circle” or “round object”. This currency was officially adopted by the Meiji government with the “New Currency Act” of 1871 in the hope of stabilising the monetary situation of the country at the time. 

The yen replaced the monetary system of the Tokugawa era, a complex system based on the mon, a copper-based coin. After the devaluation of silver in 1873, the yen lost value compared to the US and Canadian dollars, which had adopted the gold standard. Subsequently, in the year 1897 the yen was scarcely worth 50 US cents. That year, Japan adopted the gold standard and that became the value of the yen. The sen and the rin, also in circulation until then, were removed in 1953.


Current yen coins and banknotes 

 

Currently, there are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 yen coins in circulation since 2009. 

Imágenes de las monedas del yen japonés.

Concerning banknotes, the current series was issued in 2004 with 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 yen notes in circulation. 

 

Imágenes de los billetes del yen japonés.

Interesting facts of the Japanese yen

  • The 1 yen coin weighs one gram.
  • The image on the reverse side of the 5,000 yen banknote is the painting “The Kakitsubata Flowers”, by Ōgata Kōrin. 
  • Higher denominations of yen are counted in multiples of 10.000, whereas in most Western countries they are counted by thousands.

Symbol:

¥

ISO:

JPY

Date of creation:

1871

Authority:

Bank of Japan.

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Why change currency with us rather than your bank

    Global Exchange Global Exchange   Your Bank
Currencies available   70. We are specialists   Only major currencies. This is a peripheral service for them and they always try to give you dollars. 
Availability of currency   Always ready, immediately, in our branches at the airport.   Banks order currency and have to await delivery.
Expenses   The margin of Globalexchange.es is lower than that offered at the airport.   The bank has its own margin and adds a commission.
Currency divided in different denominations.   Of course! We care about you and your needs while you travel abroad.   No. Prepare for refusals and complaints in foreign languages when paying with «big» banknotes
Delivery options   On your door, in just 48 to 72 hours (free delivery for orders over €300) or collect it yourself at the airport, on your journey. All ease and comfort!   You must visit your bank at least twice, and wait meanwhile for your money to arrive.
Anything else?   Yes: order online at the airport and you can earn Iberia Plus Avios or Air Europa SUMA Miles.   Avi-what? What Miles do you refer to? No sir! This is a bank, not an airline company!


What currency do you have?

Amount

EUR

What currency do you need?

Amount

JPY

1 EUR = 126.740009 JPY / 1 JPY = 0.00789 EUR

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