Aside from some state-of-the-art anti-counterfeiting technology, Japan's new 500 yen coin will essentially look the same as the one currently in circulation, the Finance Ministry announced Friday. The original plan of issuing the coins in the first half of 2021 is likely to be postponed due to issues related to a rise in novel coronavirus infections.
It is to be the first time a new coin will have been minted since the current 500 yen coin was issued in 2000. The new coin will have the same 26.5 millimeter diameter as the current version, as well as the motifs of the paulownia on the front and the bamboo and tachibana on the reverse side.
The coins will be equipped with cutting-edge anti-counterfeiting technologies. A two-color, three-layer "bicolor clad" coating comprised of three types of metal will be applied to the coins.
At a press conference after a cabinet meeting on Friday morning, Finance Minister Taro Aso said, "We are considering postponing the issuance date as novel coronavirus infections are impacting renovation work on the equipment [used to make the new coins]."
The timing of the issuance is likely to be decided at a later date.
The current 500 yen coins will be able to be used after the introduction of the new coins.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
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