The bird and flower design of the obverse is enhanced by nine colors -- white, black, blue, purple, red, orange, yellow, yellow-green and green. Lidth's jay is a rare protected bird native only to the Amami Islands. The Easter Lilies pictured are found in the wild of the Islands and are among the most popular agricultural products in the area.

The design on the coin's reverse features the Amami Islands and the inscription "The 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Amami Islands to Japan", along with the denomination "1,000 yen" and the issue year according to the Japanese calendar "Heisei 15th", equivalent to 2003. A map of the Islands is shown on the reverse.

Each proof 1,000 Yen coin is minted from 1 troy oz. of pure (.999 fine) silver, and has a diameter of 40 mm. The edge has helical ridges. It comes in a cloth-covered presentation box with a bilingual (Japanese and English) certificate of authenticity. They are available for $99 each from official distributor PandaAmerica, 3460 Torrance Blvd., Suite 100, Torrance, CA 90503. Credit card orders can be placed by calling (800) 472-6327 or e-Mailing info@pandaamerica.com. Add $5.50 per order for shipping and insurance.

It should be noted that the Amami Restoration coins are no longer available for overseas delivery by the Japan Mint, but PandaAmerica has a small supply on hand which will be sold on a first come-first served basis.

Prepared by Mel Wacks on December 9, 2003