Yamataian En

From Ordic Encyclopedia
Yamataian En

えん
円1000 polymer banknote obverse円1000 polymer banknote reverse
Central bankNational Bank of Yamatai
User(s) Yamatai
Symbol
Coins円1, 円5, 円10, 円50, 円100
Banknotes円500, 円1,000, 円5,000, 円10,000

The En (Yashimese: 圓; symbol: 円) is the official currency of Yamatai, issued by the National Bank of Yamatai. It is the second-most traded currency in Escar behind the Chiseian Woryube. It is also used as a reserve currency by several countries, including Dai Hoa, Hinomoto, Masuka, and Shojin.

Historically, Yamatai had a centralised currency since the formation of the First Empire of Yamatai in the 9th century, mainly in the form of coins in gold, silver, and bronze denominations. In the 12th century, the Imperial Court began issuing banknotes after a major shortage of precious metals in the Naichi archipelago. Decline of the Yamataian government in the 14th century led to the devaluation of the central currency and the rise of various independent regional and provincial currencies issued by feudal lords, which extended into the subsequent period of Hinoan rule.

After the Second Yamataian Civil War and the restoration of the Imperial Court's control over Yamatai, currency reforms were carried out in 1720 to impose a centralised and uniform national currency. The National Bank of Yamatai was also founded as part of the governmental reforms, replacing the old Imperial Treasury and placed in charge of issuing the new central currency. This currency project is commonly known as the New En, a period generally held to have lasted between 1720 and 1952. The New En was backed in gold, with an initial exchange of 1 Kin of gold (roughly 600g) to 500 En, or 2.5 Kan (roughly 9.4 kg) of silver. Coins of the New En were minted in low-value metals and banknotes were commonly issued. The New En was subdivided into 100 Sen, which eventually fell out of use due to high inflation in the 20th century.

During the 19th century and early 20th century, the En was one of the most powerful currencies in the world as Yamatai was a major economic and industrial powerhouse, and was also used throughout the Yamataian colonial empire. However, the En lost much of its value following the Second Escar-Varunan War, and severe hyperinflation plagued the post-war Yamataian economy. In 1952, the Okabe Nariakira regime carried out a major monetary reform and established the Reformed En, which abandoned the gold standard and was allowed to float.

Since then, the Yamataian government has maintained a policy of currency intervention, placing the En under a managed float regime. The Yamataian government focuses on a competitive export market and attempts to ensure a low exchange rate for the En through a constant trade surplus. The Yamataian government has a strict anti-inflation policy and has been carrying out a monetary easing policy since 2019 to encourage private investments. Between 2021 and 2022, the En suddenly began appreciating at a steady rate, driving fears that Yamatai is entering an economic bubble.

History

Ancient En

After the unification of Yamatai after the Teigai War in the 8th century, the newly-formed Empire of Yamatai began carrying out administrative reforms influenced by the Hua. A unified currency was created backed by copper, silver, and gold, and came in the form of coins. In the 13th century, the first banknotes were issues due to a shortage of precious metals in the Naichi archipelago.

Old En

Hinoan Yamatai era

Ancient Yamataian banknote

New En

Second Empire era.

Reformed En

Revaluation, later rise in value.

Coins

Due to seeing little use, the National Bank of Yamatai has stopped issuing new 円1 coins since 2005.

Image Value Composition Mass Description
円1 100% aluminium 1 g You end up with too many of these when you visit the konbini.
円5 60–70% copper
30–40% zinc
3.75 g
円10 95% copper
3–4% zinc
1–2% tin
4.5 g
円50 Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel
4 g
円100 Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel
4.8 g

Banknotes

En banknotes are colour coded by valuation. 円500 notes are green, 円1,000 notes are blue, 円5,000 notes are purple, and 円10,000 notes are gold. This colour scheme was first adopted in 1985. Prior to this, all En banknotes since the introduction of the New En in 1860 were generally printed in a uniform dark purple ink (known colloquially as "Imperial En Purple") on a yellowish linen-paper blend. The current Yamataian banknotes are polymer banknotes made from biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The En began its transition to polymer notes in 2006 to increase security and durability, and paper notes of the pre-2006 series are increasingly rare.

On 22nd February 2022, new notes were issued for all denominations under the To Series (直列と). Mount Aozora, the tallest mountain in Yamatai and a national symbol of Yamatai, is prominently featured on both sides. The obverse side of the notes display a portrait of Empress Kazuko, and the reverse side of the notes prominently feature artworks by Yamataian artists from throughout Yamataian history, depicting a range of scenes representing all four corners of the Yamataian state.

Even though text on the notes state that the notes are legal tender "in all territories of the Yamataian Empire", the En is not generally accepted in Hinomoto, a self-governing region of Yamatai which uses the Hinoan Kin as its main currency.

Obverse Reverse Value Main Colour Description
To Series - First issued 2022
円500 Green The reverse of the note depicts a 17th-century woodblock print depicting fishing boats moored at Aizawa Village, located in modern-day Niihama, the largest city in Yamatai.
円1,000 Blue The reverse of the note depicts the 17th-century woodblock print depicting a plantation in the Mizuho Plain.
円5,000 Purple The reverse of the note depicts a 15th-century painting of a scene near Murota Castle and post station, located on the site of Heian, the capital of Yamatai.
円10,000 Gold The reverse of the note depicts a 19th-century painting of Mount Tenzan, which is considered one of the most important mountains in Yamataian culture.

See also