| Material | Copper 750, Nickel 250 |
| Diameter | 26.5mm |
| Weight | 7.2g |
- A 500 yen coin that was issued until Showa 57 (1982) ~ Heisei 11 (1999).
- The obverse side is engraved with paulownia, and the words “Japan(日本国)” are written at the top and “500 yen(五百円)” at the bottom.
- The reverse side is engraved with the year name and the word “500”.
- In addition, bamboo leaves are depicted on the top and bottom, and tachibana (mandarin) is depicted on the right and left parts.
- Both are representative plants of Japan.
- The words “NIPPON ♦500” are engraved on the side.
| Year | Japanese era name | |
| 1982 | 昭和五十七年 | |
| 1983 | 昭和五十八年 | |
| 1984 | 昭和五十九年 | |
| 1985 | 昭和六十年 | |
| 1986 | 昭和六十一年 | |
| 1987 | 昭和六十二年 | |
| 1988 | 昭和六十三年 | |
| 1989 | 昭和六十四年 | showa64year |
| 1989 | 平成元年 | |
| 1990 | 平成二年 | |
| 1991 | 平成三年 | |
| 1992 | 平成四年 | |
| 1993 | 平成五年 | |
| 1994 | 平成六年 | |
| 1995 | 平成七年 | |
| 1996 | 平成八年 | |
| 1997 | 平成九年 | |
| 1998 | 平成十年 | |
| 1999 | 平成十一年 |