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Message:: [QUOTE="ewomack, post: 2890531, member: 15588"]Awesome! I speak some Japanese but have never visited. I've also never actually held a Japanese bill, but I have coins going back to the Meiji period. The last I heard the 500 Yen coin was still the highest value circulating coin in the world, but that was back when 500 Yen = $6.00. As of this moment 500 Yen appears to equal about $4.40. 2019 should be an interesting coin year for Japan as Emperor Akihito steps down and the Heisei period ends. All of the coins above, except one, have "Heisei" or 平成 on them. When he abdicates the dating system will take on the "era" name or 元号 of the new Emperor, who will be the current Crown Prince Naruhito. In case you're wondering, here are the dates on your coins above: 500 Yen: Heisei 24 or 201250 Yen: Ah! You have the special transition coin with a "元年" ("gan'nen" or "first year") on it, which signifies Akihito's first year on the throne, or 1989. This was also his father Hirohito's last year on the throne, so 1989 has two era dates: Showa 64 and Heisei Gan'nen. So that' s a very cool Yen.10 Yen: Heisei 23 or 20111 Yen: Showa 56 or 1981 - this dates from Emperor Hirohito Great stuff! Thanks for posting![/QUOTE]