The 500 yen coin (五百円硬貨, Gohyaku-en kōka) is a denomination of the Japanese yen. In addition to being used as circulating currency, this denomination has also been used to make commemorative coins struck by the Japan Mint. These coins are intended for collectors only and were never issued for circulation.
Value | 500 Japanese yen |
---|---|
Edge | Reeded |
Composition | Varies by issue |
Years of minting | 1985–2020[a] |
Catalog number | - |
Obverse | |
Design | Varies by year |
Reverse | |
Design | Varies by year |
Years | Material |
---|---|
1985–1999 | 75% copper, 25% nickel (Cupronickel) |
2002–2009 | 72% copper, 20% zinc, 8% nickel (Nickel-brass) |
2008–present | 75% copper, 12.5% zinc, 12.5% nickel (Bi-metallic) |
Throughout the coin's history, the Japan Mint has issued 500 yen coins commemorating the various subjects of Japan's history. Early commemorative coins minted under the Shōwa era have their dates of reign written in Kanji script. This practice was later replaced by adding Arabic numerals to reflect the current Emperor's year of reign.
Image | Japanese date | Gregorian date | Mintage[b] | Reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
六十 (60) Shōwa[c] |
1985 | 70,000,000[1] | Tsukuba Exposition '85[2] | |
六十 (60) Shōwa |
1985 | 70,000,000[3] | Centennial of the Foundation of the Cabinet System[4] | |
六十一 (61) Shōwa |
1986 | 50,000,000[5] | Hirohito's 60th year of reign[6] | |
六十二 (62) Shōwa |
1987 | [7] | UnknownHirohito's 60th year of reign | |
63 Shōwa |
1988 | 20,000,000[8] | Opening of Seto Bridge[9] | |
63 Shōwa |
1988 | 20,000,000[10] | Opening of Seikan Tunnel (1988)[11] | |
2 Heisei |
1990 | 30,000,000[12] | Enthronement of Emperor Akihito[13] | |
四 (4) Heisei |
1992 | 19,950,000[14] (50,000) |
reversion of Okinawa to Japan[15] | 20th anniversary of the|
五 (5) Heisei |
1993 | 29,800,000[16] (200,000) |
Wedding of Crown Prince Naruhito[17] | |
6 Heisei |
1994 | 19,900,000[18] (100,000) |
Opening of Kansai International Airport[19] | |
6 Heisei |
1994 | [20] (100,000) |
9,900,0001994 Asian Games - Running[21] | |
6 Heisei |
1994 | [22] (100,000) |
9,900,0001994 Asian Games - Swimming[23] | |
6 Heisei |
1994 | [24] (100,000) |
9,900,0001994 Asian Games - Jumping[25] | |
9 Heisei |
1997 | 19,867,000[26] (133,000) |
Nagano Olympics (Snowboarding)[27] | |
9 Heisei |
1997 | 19,867,000[28] (133,000) |
Nagano Olympics (Bobsledding)[29] | |
10 Heisei |
1998 | 19,867,000[30] (133,000) |
Nagano Olympics (Acrobatic Skier)[31] | |
11 Heisei |
1999 | 14,900,000[32] (Unknown) |
[33] | 10th anniversary of the enthronement of Akihito
Image | Japanese date | Gregorian date | Mintage | Reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
14 Heisei[d] |
2002 | 10,000,000 | 2002 FIFA World Cup - (Europe & Africa)[34] | |
14 Heisei |
2002 | 10,000,000 | 2002 FIFA World Cup - (Asia & Oceania)[35] | |
14 Heisei |
2002 | 10,000,000 | 2002 FIFA World Cup - (North & South America)[36] | |
17 Heisei |
2005 | 8,241,000 | EXPO 2005 AICHI JAPAN[37] | |
17 Heisei |
2005 | [e] (Silver) |
50,000Opening of Chūbu Centrair International Airport[38] | |
19 Heisei |
2007 | 6,600,000 | 50th anniversary of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition[39] | |
20 Heisei |
2008 | 4,800,000 | Centenary of Japanese Immigration to Brazil - Japan-Brazil Year of Exchange[40] | |
21 Heisei |
2009 | [f] | 9,950,000[41] | 20th anniversary of the enthronement of Akihito
Image | Japanese date | Gregorian date | Mintage | Reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
31 Heisei |
2019 | 5,000,000 | 30th anniversary of the enthronement of Akihito[104] | |
元 (1) Reiwa |
2019 | 5,000,000[h] | Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito to the Chrysanthemum Throne[105][106] | |
2 Reiwa |
2020 | 4,000,000 | 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics: Raijin[107] | |
2020 | 4,000,000 | 2020 Tokyo Summer Paralympics: Fujin |