The 500 Yen is one denomination of Japanese Yen. This coin is one of the most valulable circulating coins (with a value of $4.90 as of July 2014), second to the GBP 5 Pound commemorative coins and the Swiss 5-franc coins. The 500 Yen was first minted in 1982 to replace the old 500 yen note. There are not many differences between the older and the newer 500 Yen, but the two most noted are the security marks not inscribed in the 0s, but the rims, and the metal/thickness. Although the new 500 Yen is unique to the Japanese Yen, the older has less counterfeiting.