New Japanese Money
The "New" 500 Yen
Japan recently released a new version of it's 500 yen coin that will replace the one used up until now. The new coin with the exception of a a few cosmetic changes is basically the same. So... why change it? The 500 yen coin is the same size and almost the same weight as the Korean 500 won. Then by drilling holes into the 500 won coin Japanese vending machines were able to be tricked into thinking the coin was an actual 500 yen coin. In 1999 these incidents became serious and it was decided to change out the current coin. The new coins are in circulation but still most vending machines, train ticket sales machines etc. do not accept the new coin yet (as of 11/2000). If some one has a picture of a 500 won coin PLEASE send it to us so we can add it here! culture@JapaneseLessons.com
 Korean 500 Won Front |
 Holes created to match the weight of the 500 Yen |
NEW 500 Yen Front
NEW 500 Yen Back
The 2000 Yen Bill
The new 2000 yen bill recently released in Japan was big in the new
because it is the first currency in Japan with the number 2 in
it. It is is also unique because the out of all the bills
currently in circulation only the 2000 yen bill water mark features a
building and not a person. It was very hard to get our hands on
this 2000 yen bill as there are not a lot in circulation yet.
Although the 2000 yen bill was released on 7/19/2000 many Japanese
have still not even seen the new bill.
click to enlarge
