500 Yen 2011, Kumamoto [Japan]

Coins-Asia

Reverse
In the center is a square with a field of horizontal lines containing a 'latent image' of the number '47', visible when the viewing angle is changed. On the sides of the square are characters meaning 'local government': top - '地', left - '治', right - '方', bottom - '自'. The coin's edge features decorative dot patterns, along which inscriptions in English and Japanese read: 'JAPAN 47 PREFECTURES COIN PROGRAM 500 YEN 平成 23年' (Japan 47 Prefectures Coin Program, 500 Yen, Heisei Year 23).
Obverse
Depicts the main keep (tenshu) of the ancient Kumamoto Castle and a section of the surrounding castle wall. Against the background of the wall's masonry is the prefecture name 'Kumamoto' in English 'KUMAMOTO' and Japanese '熊本県'. The coin's edge features raised dots, along which inscriptions in Japanese characters read: top - the country name '日本国' (Japan), bottom - '五百円' (500 Yen).