Notable exceptions occurred during the end of Emperor Shōwa's (Hirohito's) reign when these figures fell. Only 2,775,000 coins were minted in 1987 (year 62) making it the lowest in the series and a key date. Coins made in 1989 (year 64) are also popular among collectors as the second lowest mintage of the series. Further interest of this date is gained by it being Emperor Shōwa's last year of reign that lasted only a week. These two coins sell for a premium online and through coin dealers depending on their condition. Collectors and the public alike similarly kept year 31 (2019) coins of all denominations as "Heisei Memorials". Notes References External links Coins presently minted - Japan Mint How "500 yen" coins are made - Gigazine Japanese yen coins Five-hundred-base-unit coins