November 7, 2013 – Japan Mint issues in the last months of 2013 another coin of its Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program: a 1,000-yen silver coin for the Yamanashi prefecture. These is the last coin in this series and year featuring images of Mt Fuji.
Japan / 1,000 Yen / silver / 31.1g / 40.00mm / Mintage: 100,000.
In front of Mt Fuji the coin shows on the obverse the Yamanashi Mag-lev Test Line: This is the only test line of the magnetically-levitated (Mag-lev) train in Japan. It was constructed at the eastern part of Yamanashi prefecture, and the test run has started in 1997.
Above the obverse features grapes. Koshu Grape is said to be a Japanese indigenous grape with 1,300 years history, and has been cultivated in Katsunuma area in Yamanashi. It is now widely cultivated in Yamanashi prefecture as eating or wine grapes. The harvest season is from the middle of September to late October.
Additionally, for around February 2014 the issue of a 500-yen bicolor-clad Yamanashi coin is scheduled.
For more information on this coin please consult the Japan Mint website.
This site explains the Maglev Test Line.