The country’s largest coin has something to say to you.
The 500-yen coin just feels special. Large and weighty, it’s also one of the highest-value coins in the world (its current value is about US$4.42, but in times of more stable exchange rates it hovers closer to five bucks). Even cooler, it’s got a pair of hidden messages, one on each side.
We’ve touched on this before, and thanks to enterprising Imgur user m4n031, there’s a handy guide to spot the tiny, tiny lettering. As shown above, one face of the coin proudly displays its value in numerals…
…but if you look closely…
…each digit also contains two letters. The 5 has an N and an I…
…the first zero two Ps…
…and the final zero an O and an N…
…spelling out “Nippon,” one of the names for Japan in the Japanese language, and specifically the one used by Nippon Ginko (the Bank of Japan), the branch of the government that issues legal tender.
But the 500-yen coin still has more to say. Flip it over to the other side…
…and hidden among the blossoms and vines of the metallic flora are once again letters spelling out Nippon.
▼ The letters are clustered around the center of the design.
The pair of messages is another sign that Japan loves to put thought into little details, and also shows that while you can have fun with a massive stack of yen, you can find some amusement in just a single coin too.
Sources: Imgur/m4n031 (1, 2), Reddit
Top image ©RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Casey on Twitter, before it’s only a matter of time until he parts ways with the 500-yen coin at the top of this article in order to obtain taiyaki or manga.
[ Read in Japanese ]
Japanese cosplayer wows crowds by dressing as one of the anime world’s strongest stars【Pics】
Pet therapy: Japanese netizens show off their cute pets and leave us smiling all day
Japan issuing beautiful new coins to celebrate Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement
Adorkably stylish cosplay cats remind us to adopt pets instead of buy them 【Photos】
Japan unveils beautiful new yen coins for Tokyo Olympics, needs your help picking the best design
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Beautiful Japanese garden green tea crepes waiting in Tokyo’s historical Asakusa neighborhood
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Japanese ramen restaurant serves noodles with a heartwarming side of history
Off-the-beaten-tourist-track observatory tower in Tokyo has great views of the city…for free!
Studio Ghibli releases cute new blanket socks for winter
Suicide cakes – Sweets to die for
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
Tokyo restaurant isn’t kidding about the name of its overflowing rare wagyu-ju【Photos】
New Ghibli papercraft kit gives you a little Princess Mononoke forest on your desk【Photos】
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Starbucks releases new Wicked tumblers in Japan
Japan’s Pokémon donuts are evolving as Diglett grows into Dugtrio churro!
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Adult Jam Bread causes a stir at store in Tokyo
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Totoro, Calcifer, other Ghibli stars returning as humidifiers ahead of Japan’s dry winter days【Pics】
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Japan’s magic umbrellas reveal cute patterns in the rain
Tokyo restaurant’s all-you-can-eat curry, udon is under five bucks, comes with free fried chicken
In Japan, one yen coins don’t get picked up by strangers in public – they multiply instead
Japanese astronaut sends a picture to the world, world has Photoshop battle【Photos】
Silver 1,000 yen coin to be issued for Shinkansen’s 50th anniversary
Hello Kitty keeping as busy as ever — this time she collaborates with…money itself!
Picture of extremely excited corgi turns into online Photoshop battle【Photos】
Brighten your day with these 12 adorable photos of Shiba Inu being unintentionally cute 【Pics】
Does Japan’s five-yen coin need a foreigner-friendly redesign?
Dedicate your savings to your oshi of choice with this new buildable offertory box
Adorable talking Pokémon Eevee coin bank is here to take your money, make you happy about it【Vid】
How many prizes can you win from Japanese arcade crane games with 10,000 yen?【Experiment】
Japan’s top train station bento boxed lunches for 2016, as picked by travelers
Japanese company has employees-only capsule toy machine in its office for an awesome reason
Gender-bending maid cafe in Taiwan, where guys dress up in maid outfits to serve you 【Pics】
Leave a Reply