The 500 yen coin (五百円硬貨, Gohyaku-en kōka) is the largest coin denomination of the Japanese yen.
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 neighboring South Korea introduced its 500 won coin and 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. 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 on the surface of 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. Microprinting reading "Nippon" is found on both the obverse and reverse of the coin. 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.
Throughout the coin's history, the Japan Mint has issued 500 yen coins commemorating the various subjects of Japan's history.
Tsukuba Exposition '85 (1985)
Centennial of the Foundation of the Cabinet System (1985)
The 60th anniversary of the enthronement of the Shōwa emperor (1986)
Opening of the Seto Bridge (1986)
Opening of the Seikan Tunnel (1988)
The Enthronement of the Heisei emperor (1990)
The 20th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan (1992)
The Wedding of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince (1993)
Opening of Kansai International Airport (1994)
1994 Asian Games (Running) (1994)
1994 Asian Games (Swimming) (1994)
1994 Asian Games (Jumping) (1994)
Nagano Olympics (Snowboarding) (1997)
Nagano Olympics (Bobsledding) (1997)
Nagano Olympics (Acrobatic Skier) (1997)
The 10th anniversary of the enthronement of the Heisei emperor (1999)
2002 FIFA World Cup (Europe & Africa) (2002)
2002 FIFA World Cup (Asia & Oceania) (2002)
2002 FIFA World Cup (North & South America) (2002)
Expo 2005 (2005)
The opening of Chūbu Centrair International Airport (2005)
The 50th anniversary of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (2007)
The Japan-Brazil Year of Exchange, Centenary of the Japanese Immigration to Brazil (2008)
The 20th anniversary of the enthronement of the Heisei emperor (2009)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Hokkaido) (2008)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kyoto) (2008)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Shimane) (2008)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Nagano) (2009)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Niigata) (2009)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Ibaraki) (2009)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Nara) (2010)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kochi) (2010)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Gifu) (2010)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Fukui) (2010)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Aichi) (2010)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Act (Aomori) (2010)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Saga) (2010)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Toyama) (2011)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Tottori) (2011)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kumamoto) (2011)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Shiga) (2011)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Iwate) (2011)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Akita) (2011)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Okinawa) (2012)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kanagawa) (2012)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Miyazaki) (2012)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Oita) (2012)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Tochigi) (2012)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Hyogo) (2012)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Miyagi) (2013)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Hiroshima) (2013)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Gunma) (2013)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Yamanashi) (2013)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Shizuoka) (2013)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Okayama) (2013)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kagoshima) (2013)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Yamagata) (2014)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Mie) (2014)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Ehime) (2014)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Kagawa) (2014)
The 60th anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Saitama) (2014)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Ishikawa) (2014)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Yamaguchi) (2015)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Tokushima) (2015)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Fukuoka) (2015)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Wakayama) (2015)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Osaka) (2015)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Nagasaki) (2015)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Chiba) (2015)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Fukushima) (2016)
The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law (Tokyo) (2016)
The following are circulation dates which cover Emperor Hirohito's reign. With a mintage of 2,775 coins, 1987 is a key date to the series, this coin is worth about twice its face value in extremely fine condition. The dates below correspond with the 57th to the 64th year (last) of his reign. Coins for this period will all begin with the Japanese symbol 昭和 (Showa).
Japanese coins are read with a left to right format:
"Emperors name" -> "Number representing year of reign" -> "Year" (Ex: 昭和 -> 五十八 -> 年).
The following are circulation dates in the reign of the current Emperor. Akihito was crowned in 1989, which is marked with a 元 symbol on the coin as a one-year type. Coins for this period all begin with the Japanese symbol 平成 (Heisei).
Japanese coins are read with a left to right format:
"Emperors name" -> "Number representing year of reign" -> "Year" (Ex: 平成 -> 五 -> 年).
