2000 Japan 2000 Yen Shureimon Gate Commemorative PMG 68 EPQ P-103b Double Prefix

2000 Japan 2000 Yen Shureimon Gate Commemorative PMG 68 EPQ P-103b Double Prefix

Issued to mark the turn of the millennium and the 26th G8 Summit in Okinawa, this Japan ND (2000) 2,000 Yen note is one of the most attractive and culturally rich modern banknotes. Catalogued as Pick 103b, it is the double-letter serial prefix variety and comes certified and sealed by PMG.

Authenticity & catalog details

• Country / issuer: Japan – Bank of Japan (Nippon Ginko)

• Denomination: 2,000 Yen

• Date: ND (2000), Series D

• Catalog: Standard Catalog of World Paper Money Pick 103b – defined by its double-letter serial prefix (here “SA…”).

• Watermark: Detailed image of Shureimon Gate, matching the main obverse vignette.

• Certification: Encapsulated by PMG, confirming genuine Bank of Japan issue and preserving the note in an inert, tamper-evident holder.

Historical significance – Okinawa, the G8 & the millennium

The 2,000 yen note debuted on 19 July 2000 to commemorate two events: the 26th G8 Summit held in Okinawa and the end of the second millennium. Although it circulates as a regular issue rather than a legal “commemorative,” its design strongly celebrates Okinawa’s distinct Ryukyuan heritage and Japan’s literary tradition.

Despite an initial publicity push, the denomination never caught on: most ATMs and vending machines were never reconfigured for ¥2,000, and everyday users found it less convenient than the familiar ¥1,000 / ¥5,000 / ¥10,000 trio. Printing ceased in 2004, and today the note represents only a tiny fraction of Japanese currency in circulation, making crisp examples far scarcer than contemporary notes of other denominations.

Obverse design – Shureimon Gate, symbol of Ryukyu

The obverse showcases Shureimon, the elegant tile-roofed gate leading to Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa. Originally built in the 16th century, Shureimon was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 and later reconstructed; along with Shuri Castle, it forms part of the “Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu” UNESCO World Heritage listing (inscribed in 2000).

Delicate cherry blossom and chrysanthemum motifs surround the central area, referencing both Okinawa and the broader Japanese imperial iconography, while complex guilloche patterns and denomination rosettes incorporate latent images and microprinting for security.

Reverse design – The Tale of Genji & Murasaki Shikibu

The reverse pays tribute to “Genji Monogatari” (The Tale of Genji), the classic 11th-century court novel often described as one of the earliest masterpieces of psychological fiction. A colourful scene from the Genji Monogatari Emaki picture scroll shows Heian-period courtiers, overlaid with flowing calligraphy taken from chapter 38, Suzumushi (“The Bell Cricket”).

At lower right is a portrait of Murasaki Shikibu, the noblewoman traditionally credited as the work’s author, adapted from the Murasaki Shikibu Diary Emaki scrolls. Together, the imagery ties Japan’s millennium-era currency to a literary milestone from 1,000 years earlier.

Remarkable denomination

The ¥2,000 is unique in modern Japanese money: it is the only circulating denomination beginning with “2”, and it was added specifically for this commemorative issue to sit alongside ¥1,000, ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 notes. Because the public rarely used it and new printings stopped after a few short years, it has effectively become a modern “odd-denomination” collectible, similar to the U.S. $2 bill but with far richer historical and artistic symbolism.

Collector’s value

For collectors, this note offers a superb blend of themes: Okinawan World Heritage architecture, Heian-era literature, millennium-year symbolism, and an unusual denomination—all wrapped into a single, short-lived issue. The P-103b double-letter prefix variety adds a recognized catalog distinction, and PMG certification provides peace of mind for authenticity and long-term preservation. It’s an ideal centerpiece for Japanese type sets, literary or UNESCO-themed collections, or anyone looking to add a conversation-starting modern classic to their banknote album.