500 yen coin

Five hundred yen
Value500 Japanese yen
Mass7.1 g
Diameter26.5 mm
Thickness1.81 mm
EdgeReeded
CompositionBi-metallic
75% Cu
12.5% Zn
12.5% Ni
Years of minting1982–present
Catalog numberY-87, Y-99.2, Y-125[1]
Obverse
DesignPaulownia
Design date2021
Reverse
DesignDenomination with Bamboo and tachibana
Design date2021

The 500 yen coin (Japanese: 五百円硬貨, Hepburn: Gohyaku-en kōka) is the largest denomination of Japanese yen coin issued for circulation. These coins were first struck in 1982 as the vending machine industry needed a higher valued coin for use in their machines. The denomination had previously been issued as paper currency which co-circulated with the new coins until 1994. Originally the 500 yen coin was made up of cupronickel, but was later changed to nickel brass, and then to bi-metallic to deter counterfeiting. This illegal practice has been a constant issue since the coin was first released due to its high purchase value. With a history spanning 3 imperial eras, 500 yen coins are also collectibles.

  1. ^ "Japan 500 Yen". Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2020.