The production of new 500-yen coins with different materials to prevent counterfeiting began on the 21st, and the opening ceremony was held at the branch office of the Mint Bureau in Saitama City.

The production of new 500-yen coins will be issued from November this year.



When Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aso, who attended the opening ceremony, pressed the button at hand, the machine at the factory started to move and coin production began.



The new 500-yen coin has the same size and basic design as the current coin, but it uses three types of metal and is combined, and there is one groove on the side that was previously carved at equal intervals. It has a more complicated structure, such as changing the width and shape of only the part, making it difficult to forge.



The new 500-yen coin was scheduled to be issued by around September, but due to the impact of the new coronavirus, repair work such as ATMs at banks was delayed, and it was postponed to November.



Minister Aso, who attended the opening ceremony, told reporters, "Because currency is trust, it is extremely important to have a sense of security that it will not be forged. I think it is best if you get used to it."



According to the National Police Agency's summary, counterfeiting of 500-yen coins is on the decline, but 188 coins were found nationwide last year as well.



According to the Ministry of Finance, about 5 billion yen coins, which started to be issued in 2000, are in circulation and can be used even after new coins are issued.

What are the features of the new 500-yen coin?

The new 500-yen coin has the same size and basic design as the current 500-yen coin, but it incorporates the most advanced technology in the world to prevent counterfeiting.

1. Non-equidistant side grooves

Today's 500-yen coins have diagonal grooves engraved on the sides at regular intervals.



On the other hand, the new 500-yen coin has changed the width and shape of a part of the groove.



According to the Mint, it is the first coin in the world to change only a part of the groove carved on the side like this.

2. "2-color 3-layer structure"

In addition, we have adopted a "two-color, three-layer structure" that uses three types of metal materials.



It has a structure in which a silver plate, which is a circular plate made of copper sandwiched between two cupronickel plates, is in the center, and a golden ring made of nickel surrounds it.



This "two-color, three-layer structure" is the first Japanese coin except for commemorative coins, and it is the only euro coin in the world.

3. Fine characters

Inside the raised part of the coin's edge, two new fine letters "500YEN" and "JAPAN" are engraved.

4. In the number "500"

Furthermore, in the number "500" written on the back of the coin, if you tilt the coin, the letters "500 YEN" and "JAPAN" will appear in the numbers and Roman letters.



If you tilt the current 500 yen, the letters "500 yen" will appear in numbers and kanji, but special processing has been applied to make it look clearer.



The 500-yen coin was first issued in 1982 in place of the 500-yen bill, and this new 500-yen coin will be the first change in 21 years.



Yasushi Taniguchi, director of the Mint Bureau, said, "It is a very difficult technology to process all coins at a speed of 10 sheets or more per second. Based on the research results so far, we have increased the resistance to counterfeiting and the people's We have developed a coin that you can tell at a glance that a new technology has been introduced when you pick it up. "