500 yen 1951

Common. The 500 yen denomination from 1951 was part of the standard post-war currency circulation and produced in substantial quantities. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or unusual scarcity in AU condition. This note type remains readily available to collectors at modest market values typical of early 1950s Japanese currency.

Issued in 1951, this 500 yen note represents Japan's early post-war economic recovery and the restoration of sovereign currency design following American occupation (1945-1952). The prominent inclusion of Mount Fuji on the reverse reflects the deliberate re-establishment of Japanese national imagery and cultural pride during this formative period. The note's denominations and design represent the transitional currency era before Japan's economic expansion of the 1960s.

The obverse features an oval-framed portrait of a man in formal Western business attire (dark suit jacket and bow tie), positioned on the right side against an ornate decorative frame. A red circular official seal is centrally placed. The reverse showcases Mount Fuji (Fujisan), Japan's most iconic volcanic peak, depicted with its characteristic snow-capped summit rising above a landscaped foreground with vegetation and rolling hills. A large ornate circular medallion containing the denomination '500' anchors the left side. Both sides employ elaborate guilloche border patterns and ornamental corner flourishes typical of high-security banknote design.

Front side: '500' (Arabic numerals), '五百円' (Go-hyaku en / 500 yen), '日本銀行券' (Nihon Ginko Ken / Bank of Japan Note), '日本銀行' (Nihon Ginko / Bank of Japan), Serial number 'F853562C'. Reverse side: 'NIPPON GINKO' (Bank of Japan in Romanized form), '500' (Arabic numerals), '500 YEN' (English denomination).

Intaglio (steel-plate engraving) on cotton-fiber banknote paper, characteristic of Bank of Japan currency production. The fine-line engraving, detailed landscape work with crosshatching, and complex guilloche patterns visible throughout are hallmarks of the principal intaglio process. Red seals applied as post-print security measure. The printing was likely executed by the Bank of Japan's in-house security printing facilities, which produced Japanese currency during this period.

Pick-91a designation indicates this is the primary variety of the 1951 500 yen issue. The serial number 'F853562C' observed on this example represents standard numbering from the regular print run. No significant die varieties, signature variants, or overprint combinations are documented as distinguishing factors for this Pick number. The red seal configuration visible on both sides is consistent with the standard 1951 issue design.