Description
The Austrian Mint first began producing the
Vienna Philharmonic in 1989 and it quickly became very popular. This
coin was the best selling gold bullion coin in the world in 1992, 1995,
and 1996 according to World Gold Council.
Design
The obverse features the great organ in the Vienna's
Golden Concert Hall (Musikverein), which houses the Philharmonic
Orchestra. Arranged underneath the organ are the weight, fineness, date
of issue, and face value in Euros*. At top sits the official name of
the country, 'REPUBLIK 'STERREICH'.
The reverse depicts a collection of orchestral instruments: a cello,
four violins, a Vienna horn, bassoon, and harp. These instruments are
arranged underneath the German name of the orchestra: 'WIENER
PHILHARMONIKER'.
Minting Information
Minted in 1-oz., '-oz., '-oz., and
1/10-oz. sizes, all Vienna Philharmonics are made from 99.99% pure
gold. No alloyed metals are added. All coins are minted at the Austrian
Mint AG, now a subsidiary of the Austrian National Bank. The Mint was
established in 1194 and has remained in its current building since
1837.
Government Guarantee
The Austrian Mint guarantees the
Philharmonic's weight and purity and backs its monetary face value,
which was the highest of any gold bullion coin when it was denominated
in Schilling, prior to the creation and acceptance of the Euro.
| Detailed Coin Information |
| Composition: 99.99% Gold |
| Coin Size |
Face Value* |
Gold Content |
Diameter |
Thickness |
| 1-oz. |
100 Euro |
31.103g |
37.0mm |
2.0mm |
| 1/2-oz. |
50 Euro |
15.552g |
28.00mm |
1.6mm |
| 1/4-oz. |
25 Euro |
7.776g
|
22.00mm |
1.2mm |
| 1/10-oz. |
10 Euro |
3.121g
|
16.00mm |
1.2mm | |
| Dates: 1989-present |
| Mint: Austrian Mint AG |
* Prior to 2002, Philharmonics carried face values denominated in
Schilling: 2000 Schilling (1-oz.), 1000 Schilling (1/2-oz.), 500
Schilling (1/4-oz), and 200 Schilling (1/10-oz.)
