In 1871, the Meiji government ended the complex monetary system of the Edo period and introduced the yen, a new coin modeled after European currencies. The yen was divided decimally; the coins were round and minted mechanically. The 100-yen-coin was first issued in 1957, in silver at that time. Ten years later the current copper-nickel types were introduced. Their obverse depicts cherry blossoms, one of the major symbols of Japanese culture.