October 1, 2021
Ministry of Finance
Issuance Date for the New 500-yen Coin
The issuance date for the new 500-yen coins will be November 1, 2021. The new 500-yen coins with new specifications, including new materials, will be introduced to strengthen counterfeit resistance.
The Bank of Japan will start distributing the coins to financial institutions from that date.
On the other hand, the current 500-yen coins will remain valid even after the issuance of the new 500-yen coins.
(Note) 200 million of the new 500-yen coins are scheduled to be issued by the end of FY 2021. Therefore, the amount in circulation is expected to increase gradually in the future.
Contact
Management Section, Office of Currency Matters, Treasury Division, Financial Bureau
Phone: 03-3581-4111 (Representative)
Extension: 5765
◎The current 500-yen coins will remain valid after the issuance of the new 500-yen coins.
◎Please be aware of fraudulent practices claiming that the current 500-yen coins are invalid.
(Reference)
Designs of New 500-yen Coin
| Design |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
| Material | Nickel-brass, cupronickel and copper | |
| Quality | Copper 75.0%, Zinc 12.5%, and Nickel 12.5% | |
| Weight | 7.1 g | |
| Diameter | 26.5 mm | |
-
New Security Features (See Attachment)
-
Application of new technology, bicolor clad, to the materials (two-color, three-layer structure).
-
Application of “helical ridges with two different pitches” to the edge of the coin. *
-
Micro lettering and numbers will be inscribed on the inside rim of the front of the coin.
* Two different pitches are applied to the helical ridges. It is the first time worldwide for this technology to be used to manufacture ordinary coins (coins for mass production).
(Attachment)
New Anti-counterfeiting Technology (New 500-yen Coin)
1. Application of new technology, bicolor clad, to the materials (two-color, three-layer structure).
2. Application of “helical ridges with two different pitches” to the edge of the coin.
- Two different pitches are applied to the helical ridges. It is the first time worldwide for this technology to be used to manufacture ordinary coins (coins for mass production).
3. Micro lettering and numbers will be inscribed on the inside rim of the front of the coin.
