500 yen coin
| Japan | |
| Value | 500 Japanese yen |
|---|---|
| Mass | 7.00 g |
| Diameter | 26.5 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Edge | Helically reeded edge |
| Composition |
72% Cu 20%Zn 8% Ni |
| Years of minting | 1982 - Present |
| Catalog number | - |
| Obverse | |
 | |
| Design | Paulownia |
| Designer | - |
| Design date | 2000 |
| Reverse | |
 | |
| Design | Bamboo, Citrus tachibana |
| Designer | - |
| Design date | 2000 |
The 500 yen coin (五百円硬貨 Gohyaku-en kōka) is the largest coin denomination of the Japanese yen. Depending on fluctuations in exchange rates it is often the highest valued regularly used coin in the world. As of April 28, 2013, it is valued at US$5.09, €3.91, £3.29, C$5.18, CHF4.80, A$4.95 and NZ$6.00. As of April 28, 2013, the United Kingdom's largest coin (£2 coin) is worth ¥304, the Swiss 5 franc coin is worth ¥521, the Cook Islands $5 coin (which is pegged to the New Zealand Dollar) is worth ¥417 and the Latvian 2 lati is worth ¥365. These numbers will necessarily not reflect spending power, especially since one of the other coins mentioned would match out the rest.
History
The 500 yen coin was first minted in 1982 to replace the 500 yen note, which continued to be used alongside it until April 1, 1994. Soon, it became the victim of counterfeiting, as the South Korean 500 won coin could be easily modified to the exact weight of the ¥500 coin. As the ₩500 coin was roughly one-tenth the value of the ¥500 coin, these modified coins could be used at vending machines to produce a profit.[1] The ₩500 coin was slightly heavier than the ¥500 coin, whilst having exactly the same diameter and metal alloy, meaning that counterfeiters would drill small holes in the coin to reduce its weight, and fool vending machines which relied on weight to identify coins.
A new design was minted in 2000. Zinc was added to give it a distinctive electrical conductivity, the weight was reduced 0.2 grams, and a latent image was added to the zeros on the obverse. When viewed at an angle, "500円" is printed vertically in each zero. When viewed at a different angle, a bar can be seen running down the inside of each zero. This bar is narrower than the "500円" text.[2] Microprinting reading "Nippon" is found on both the obverse and reverse of the coin.[3] Within the span of a few years, vending machines were replaced by new models by manufacturers which verified coins based on electrical conductivity; while the old style 500 yen coins are still in circulation, many vending machines no longer accept them.
Despite these anti-counterfeiting measures, the coin is still the target of counterfeiters in Japan.
Commemorative 500 yen coins
Throughout the coin's history, the Japan Mint has issued 500 yen coins commemorating the various subjects of Japan's history.
Cupronickel 500 yen coins
- Tsukuba Exposition '85 (1985)[4]
- Centennial of the Foundation of the Cabinet System (1985)[5]
- The 60th anniversary of the enthronement of the Shōwa emperor (1986)[6]
- Opening of the Seto Bridge (1986)[7]
- Opening of the Seikan Tunnel (1988)[8]
- The Enthronement of the Heisei emperor (1990)[9]
- The 20th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan (1992)[10]
- The Wedding of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince (1993)[11]
- Opening of Kansai International Airport (1994)[12]
- 1994 Asian Games (Running) (1994)[13]
- 1994 Asian Games (Swimming) (1994)[14]
- 1994 Asian Games (Jumping) (1994)[15]
- Nagano Olympics (Snowboarding) (1997)[16]
- Nagano Olympics (Bobsledding) (1997)[17]
- Nagano Olympics (Acrobatic Skier) (1997)[18]
- The 10th anniversary of the enthronement of the Heisei emperor (1999)[19]
Nickel-brass 500 yen coins
- 2002 FIFA World Cup (Europe & Africa) (2002)[20]
- 2002 FIFA World Cup (Asia & Oceania) (2002)[21]
- 2002 FIFA World Cup (North & South America) (2002)[22]
- Expo 2005 (2005)[23]
- The opening of Chūbu Centrair International Airport (2005)[24]
- The 50th anniversary of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (2007)[25]
- The Japan-Brazil Year of Exchange, Centenary of the Japanese Immigration to Brazil (2008)[26]
- The 20th anniversary of the enthronement of the Heisei emperor (2009)[27]
Bi-metallic 500 yen coins
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Hokkaido) (2008)[28]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kyoto) (2008)[29]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Shimane) (2008)[30]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Nagano) (2009)[31]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Niigata) (2009)[32]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Ibaraki) (2009)[33]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Nara) (2010)[34]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kochi) (2010)[35]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Gifu) (2010)[36]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Fukui) (2010)[37]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Aichi) (2010)[38]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Aomori) (2010)[39]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Saga) (2010)[40]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Toyama) (2011)[41]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Tottori) (2011)[42]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kumamoto) (2011)[43]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Shiga) (2011)[44]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Iwate) (2011)[45]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Akita) (2011)[46]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Okinawa) (2012)[47][48]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kanagawa) (2012)[49][50]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Miyazaki) (2012)[51][52]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Oita) (2012)[53][54]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Tochigi) (2012)[55][56]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Hyogo) (2012)[57][58]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Miyagi) (2013)[59][60]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Hiroshima) (2013)[61][62]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Gunma) (2013)[63][64]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Yamanashi) (2013)[65][66]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Shizuoka) (2013)[67][68]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Okayama) (2013)[69][70]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kagoshima) (2013)[71][72]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Yamagata) (2014)[73][74]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Mie) (2014)[75][76]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Ehime) (2014)[77][78]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kagawa) (2014)[79]
- The 60th anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Saitama) (2014)[80]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Ishikawa) (2014)[81]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Yamaguchi) (2015)[82]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Tokushima) (2015)[83]
- The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Fukuoka) (2015)[84]
References
- ↑ Metropolis [Tokyo] Money Talks: Short Changed
- ↑ Japan Mint: Analyzing 500 yen Nickel-brass Coin
- ↑ Micro Characters on New 500-Yen Coin Found !!
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan 500 yen 2012 - Okinawa, Kanagawa & Miyazaki worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan 500 yen 2012 - Okinawa, Kanagawa & Miyazaki worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan 500 yen 2012 - Okinawa, Kanagawa & Miyazaki worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Oita, Tochigi & Hyogo worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Oita, Tochigi & Hyogo worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Oita, Tochigi & Hyogo worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved 2012-07-20.
- ↑ Miyagi, Hiroshima, Gunma worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2013-10-23.
- ↑ Miyagi, Hiroshima, Gunma worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2013-10-23.
- ↑ Miyagi, Hiroshima, Gunma worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2013-10-23.
- ↑ Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Okayama, Kagoshima worldcoinnews.blosgpot.com. Retrieved on 2013-04-22.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2013-10-23.
- ↑ Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Okayama, Kagoshima worldcoinnews.blosgpot.com. Retrieved on 2013-04-22.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2013-10-23.
- ↑ Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Okayama, Kagoshima worldcoinnews.blosgpot.com. Retrieved on 2013-04-22.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2013-10-23.
- ↑ Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Okayama, Kagoshima worldcoinnews.blosgpot.com. Retrieved on 2013-04-22.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2013-10-23.
- ↑ Japan 500 yen 2014 - Yamagata, Mie & Ehime worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-27.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-04-27.
- ↑ Japan 500 yen 2014 - Yamagata, Mie & Ehime worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-27.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-04-27.
- ↑ Japan 500 yen 2014 - Yamagata, Mie & Ehime worldcoinnews.blogspot.com. Retrieved on 2013-09-27.
- ↑ Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-04-27.
- ↑ The Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program: Kagawa Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-05-27.
- ↑ The Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program: Saitama Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-05-27.
- ↑ The Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program: Ishikawa Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-05-27.
- ↑ The Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program: Yamaguchi Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-11-11.
- ↑ The Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program: Tokushima Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-11-11.
- ↑ The Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program: Fukuoka Japan Mint. Retrieved on 2014-11-11.
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