Indonesian 500-rupiah coin facts for kids
| Indonesia | |
| Value | Rp 500 |
|---|---|
| Mass | 3.1 g |
| Diameter | 27.2 mm |
| Thickness | 2.35 mm |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Composition | Aluminum-bronze (1991-2003) Aluminum (2003-present) |
| Years of minting | 1991-present |
| Obverse | |
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|
| Designer | Bank of Indonesia |
| Design date | 2016 |
| Reverse | |
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| Designer | Bank of Indonesia |
| Design date | 2016 |
The Indonesian five hundred rupiah coin (Rp500) is a type of money used in Indonesia. It's worth 500 Indonesian rupiah. This coin first came out in 1991. Since then, its design has changed three times. These changes happened in 1997, 2003, and 2016.
Today, the Rp500 coin is the second most valuable coin you can use in Indonesia. Only the Rp1,000 coin is worth more. As of December 2023, only the Rp500 coins made from aluminum (from 2003 and 2016) can be used as official money.
Contents
First Rp500 Coin (1991-1992)
The very first Rp500 coin was made in 1991. It was made from a mix of aluminum and bronze. This coin weighed about 5.3 g (0.19 oz). It was 24 mm (0.94 in) wide and 1.75 mm (0.069 in) thick. The edge of the coin had small ridges, like a gear.
The coin had two main parts. The outer part was ridged and curved around the coin. The inner part held the pictures. On the front (obverse) was the national symbol of Indonesia, the Garuda Pancasila. It also said "BANK INDONESIA" and showed the year it was made. On the back (reverse) was a picture of a jasmine flower. It also said "Bunga Melati" (which means "Jasmine Flower") and "Rp500."
Second Rp500 Coin (1997-2003)
The Rp500 coin got its first new look in 1997. It was still made of aluminum-bronze. The front of the coin stayed the same as the first version. But the back was different.
The new back showed the number "500" very large. Below it, it said "RUPIAH." The jasmine flower picture was smaller and moved to the top. The words "BUNGA MELATI" were written in capital letters below "RUPIAH." These coins were made until 2003. They weighed about 5.34 g (0.188 oz). They were 24 mm (0.94 in) wide and 1.83 mm (0.072 in) thick. The edge of these coins was smooth.
Third Rp500 Coin (2003)
In 2003, the Rp500 coin changed again. This time, it was made from aluminum. Its edge had both smooth and ridged parts. This coin weighed 3.1 g (0.11 oz). It was 27.2 mm (1.07 in) wide and 2.5 mm (0.098 in) thick.
The front of the coin was still similar to the older versions. It showed the national symbol, the year "2003," and "BANK INDONESIA." But the back was updated. The jasmine flower was bigger. The "500" number was not as big as on the 1997 coin. The words "BUNGA MELATI" were moved higher up on the coin.
Fourth Rp500 Coin (2016)
The Rp500 coin got its most recent update in 2016. This was part of a whole new set of money released by Bank Indonesia. The front of this new coin shows the national symbol. It also has a picture of Lieutenant General T. B. Simatupang, a famous Indonesian figure. The words "REPUBLIK INDONESIA" are at the top, and "LETJEN TNI T. B. SIMATUPANG" are at the bottom.
The back of the 2016 coin looks a bit like the 1997 design. It has a large "500 RUPIAH." It also says "BANK INDONESIA" at the top and the year "2016" at the bottom.
Special Collector's Rp500 Coin (1970)
Besides the coins used every day, a special Rp500 coin was made in 1970. This coin was not for spending. It was a collector's item. It was made of 99.9% pure silver. This special coin was made to celebrate Indonesia's 25th independence anniversary.
It weighed 20 grams and was 40mm wide. Its edge had ridges. The front showed the Garuda Pancasila symbol. It also had the Bank Indonesia logo and the year "1970." Above the symbol, it said "1945-1970," and below it, "500 RUPIAH." The back of the coin showed a wayang dancer. There were also two stars and the words "25 TAHUN KEMERDEKAAN" ("25 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE") and "REPUBLIK INDONESIA." Only 4,800 of these special coins were made.
When Old Rp500 Coins Stopped Working
The Rp500 coins from 1991 and 1997 are no longer official money. They stopped being legal to use on December 1, 2023. However, if you have these old coins, you can still exchange them. You can take them to commercial banks or Bank Indonesia offices. You have until December 1, 2033, to exchange them.
See also
- Indonesian rupiah
- Coins of the rupiah
