In January 708 which was the year after the enthronement of the Empress Genmei, the name of the era was changed to 'Wado' (literally, "Japanese copper") after the presentation of copper from Musashi Province and, in February next year, production of coins and construction of the capital commenced.
元明天皇即位の翌年にあたる708年（慶雲5年）正月、武蔵国が銅を献上したのを機に「和銅」と改元され、翌2月には、貨幣の鋳造と都城の建設が開始された。