The Indonesian 500-rupiah Coin Explained

The Indonesian 500-rupiah coin is a widely used denomination in the country. It's a small, round coin made of nickel-plated steel.

The coin measures 20 mm in diameter and 1.7 mm in thickness. This makes it easy to carry around in your pocket or purse.

The 500-rupiah coin has a unique design on both sides, featuring the national emblem of Indonesia and the denomination value.

The 500-rupiah coin has a fascinating history. It was first introduced in 1991 as an aluminum-bronze coin.

The first issue of the coin weighed 5.3 g and had a diameter of 24 mm. The reeded edge made it distinctive, with the outer part curving around the coin eight times.

The obverse featured the national emblem Garuda Pancasila, while the reverse depicted an image of the jasmine flower. The mint year was also included on the obverse.

In 1997, the coin underwent a revision, with the reverse now depicting the denomination in a large number and text. The jasmine image was reduced in size and moved to the upper part.

The first issue of the 500-rupiah coin was introduced in 1991, and it was made of aluminum-bronze, weighing 5.3 grams.

This early version of the coin had a diameter of 24 mm and a thickness of 1.75 mm, with a reeded edge that curved around the coin eight times. It had two distinct parts: a reeded outer part and an inner part containing the obverse and reverse images.

The obverse side of the coin featured the national emblem Garuda Pancasila, the lettering "BANK INDONESIA", and the mint year, while the reverse depicted an image of the jasmine flower (Jasminum) and the denomination "Rp500".

A total of 71 million of these coins were minted in 1991, with another 100 million minted in 1992.

The second issue of the 500-rupiah coin was minted from 1997 to 2003. This series saw a revision in the coin's design.

The coin's reverse side was revised to depict the denomination, featuring a large "500" and the lettering "RUPIAH" below it. The jasmine image was reduced in size and moved to the upper part of the coin.

The lettering "BUNGA MELATI" ("JASMINE FLOWER") was capitalized and placed below the "RUPIAH" lettering. This design change gave the coin a distinct look.

The coins from this series weighed 5.34 g (0.188 oz), had a diameter of 24 mm (0.94 in), and were 1.83 mm (0.072 in) thick.

The third issue of the 500-rupiah coin was introduced in 2003. This revision made the coin an aluminum one with a unique edge design.

It weighed 3.1 grams and measured 27.2 millimeters in diameter. The coin was 2.5 millimeters thick.

The obverse side still featured the national emblem, mint year, and the lettering "BANK INDONESIA." The design remained the same as the 1992 and 1997 series.

The reverse side, however, underwent significant changes. It now featured an enlarged jasmine flower, with the "500" denomination made less prominent.

The Indonesian 500-rupiah coin has a distinct design and features that set it apart from other coins. It was issued by Indonesia in 1997 and remained in circulation until 2003.

The coin is made of aluminium bronze, which gives it a unique composition. It has a weight of 5.34 grams and a diameter of 24 millimeters, making it a substantial coin.

The coin's thickness is 1.83 millimeters, and its shape is round, which is typical for most coins. It has a milled technique, meaning it has a textured surface, and is aligned in a medal alignment, which is a specific orientation.

The 500 Rupiah coin features the Indonesia Coat of Arms on its front design.

The coat of arms is a portrait of an Indonesian National Hero who served in the Indonesian National Revolution.

The reverse side of the coin displays the denomination and date.

This coin is part of the 2016 series.

Its rim is serrated, giving it a distinctive texture.

The color of the coin is white aluminum.

The 500 Rupiah coin is a standard circulation coin issued by Indonesia, featuring a design that's been in circulation since 1997. It's made of aluminium bronze and has a weight of 5.34 grams.

The coin's diameter is 24 mm, making it a compact size that's easy to carry around. Its thickness is 1.83 mm, which is relatively thin compared to other coins.

The 500 Rupiah coin has a round shape, giving it a smooth and even surface. It's milled, which means it has a textured edge that's easy to identify.

Here's a quick rundown of the coin's features:

The Indonesian 500-rupiah coin has a fascinating history. In October 1946, the Rupiah was introduced as the official currency of Indonesia.

Initially, the Rupiah had no international recognition and its value was determined on the black market. This period lasted until March 1950.

The Rupiah was introduced in conjunction with the Gulden version of the Netherlands Indie Gulden, which was introduced during the Japanese occupation in World War II.

The Dutch government finally recognized Indonesia's independence in 1950, leading to a currency reform.