With the aim of raising awareness among students who will lead the future of coin design, the Japan Mint is hosting the International Coin Design Competition (ICDC) 2026, inviting participation from students both in Japan and abroad.
Any student who is registered at any school and was born on or after 31 August 1996 is qualified to enter and submission of a coin design (the obverse and reverse sides) is required.
The best designs will be awarded with monetary prizes, plaques, certificates and more. The Grand Award is 100,000 yen.
Each entrant may adopt whatever theme he/she wishes for his/her work. Works for entry must be unpublished and original.
Designs must be drawn in accordance with the following specifications:
- Designs must be drawn in two perfect circles 120 mm in diameter (the obverse design should be on the left and the reverse design should be on the right) on a sheet of 210 mm x 297 mm (A4) paper.
- Designs must be drawn on the assumption that they are to be for a coin of 30-mm diameter.
- Designs must be drawn in black and white.
- Any drawing materials are acceptable.
- Designs may not be creased or folded.
Each entrant may submit up to three works.
Awards:-
Grand Award (one award): 100,000 yen and an award plaque
Excellence Award (three awards): 30,000 yen and a supplementary prize
International Award (one award): 30,000 yen and a supplementary prize (*)
Special Jury Award: 10,000 yen and a supplementary prize
Encouragement Award: Award certificate
Note: The awards may not be presented if there are no deserving entries.
Taxes and other charges will be deducted from the prize money.
(*) The International Award is open to applicants who are not Japanese nationals.
Recipients of the International Award will be required to submit official documentation verifying their nationality after the award results have been announced.
If the required documentation is not submitted by the designated deadline, the award will be revoked.
Deadline:- 16-09-2026
