Commemorative coins for the Year of the Tiger -- animal of the Chinese zodiac in 2022 -- became available for preorder this month at two local banks in Kagawa Prefecture, western Japan./p>

Seven gold coins, a silver coin and a set of five silver coins -- issued by Australia, Bhutan, Britain, Canada and France -- are being offered while stocks last by Tokyo-based trader Taisei Coins Corp. through Oct. 29, according to Hyakujushi Bank and Kagawa Bank.

Photo shows the back of a 500 British pound gold coin bearing a tiger.

New to the Chinese zodiac coin series this time around is a 500 British pound gold coin weighing 5 ounces (about 156 grams) bearing a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and a tiger on the back. Seventy of the coins are on sale in Japan for 2.86 million yen ($25,000), the banks said.

Also on offer are 100 pound gold coins, of which 650 are exclusively available in Japan for 572,000 yen, and 500 Canadian $100 gold coins available for 330,000 yen. The silver coin sets are priced at 77,000 yen, with 1,300 available.

The coins will be delivered from around Dec. 7, the banks said.

The Shikoku Shimbun


Related coverage:

Japan's largest pumpkin for the year weighs 394 kg

"Double diamond" viewing under way at Japan's other Mt. Fuji

High school students create giant maze with 10,000 sunflowers