500 yen coin

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Five-Hundred yen
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
File:500 yen reverse.jpg
Design Paulownia
Designer -
Design date 2000
Reverse
File:500 yen obverse.jpg
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 October 5, 2015, it is valued at US$4.16, €3.69, £2.73, C$5.45, CHF4.04, A$5.87, NZ$6.39. As of October 5, 2015, the United Kingdom's largest coin (£2 coin) is worth ¥365, the Swiss 5 franc coin is worth ¥618, the Cook Islands $5 coin (which is pegged to the New Zealand Dollar) is worth ¥391. 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.

List of commemorative 500 yen coins

Cupronickel 500 yen coins

Nickel-brass 500 yen coins

Bi-metallic 500 yen coins

References

  1. Metropolis [Tokyo] Money Talks: Short Changed
  2. Japan Mint: Analyzing 500 yen Nickel-brass Coin
  3. Micro Characters on New 500-Yen Coin Found !!
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