Austrian Mint
History of the Austrian Mint
The Austrian Mint's history traces back more than 600 years to the year 1397 and a small mint located in Wollzeile, Vienna. Fast forward to 1752, that same mint was moved to the Winterpalace of Prince Eugene. Many years later, in 1834, Kaiser Franz I constructed a new Vienna mint and moved the Winterpalace mint to the new location. This building now serves as the headquarters for the present-day Austrian Mint.
Prior to the establishment of the First Austrian Republic in 1918, the Am Heumarkt mint in Vienna was the Habsburg Empire's leading mint. After that, the Vienna state mint remained the only mint in Austria. Starting in 1925, the mint issued Austrian Schilling coinages. When Austria was under German rule from 1938-1945, the mint issued German Reichsmarks. Between 1945 and 2001, the mint issued the Austrian Schilling again until 2001 when the Euro was introduced.
In 1989, the Vienna state mint was incorporated as a public company and took on the name Münze Österreich AG (Austrian Mint AG). At that time, it became a subsidiary of Austria's central bank. In celebration of these events, the Vienna Philharmonic gold bullion coin was launched in 1/4 oz and 1 oz denominations. More denominations were launched in the subsequent years, and the Vienna Philharmonic is one of the most popular gold bullion coins today.
Austrian Mint bullion coins and bars
While the Austrian Mint is famed for the production of its Vienna Philharmonic coin, it also manufactures a range of other high-quality bullion products.
Vienna Philharmonic coins
The Vienna Philharmonic gold and silver bullion coin series, sometimes called Austrian Philharmonic coins, is the Austrian Mint's most successful product. Launched in 1989, the Philharmonic was the best-selling bullion coin in Europe and second in the world by 1990. In the 1990s, the coin was even cited several times by the World Gold Council as the most sold coin worldwide. The success of the Philharmonic has continued since then too. In the 2000s, the coin accounted for 30-40% of investment coin sales in Europe.
The Vienna Philharmonic coin gets its name from the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. As Vienna is the city from which Mozart, Haydn, and many others shaped classical music, it only made sense to name the coin after the Austrian capital's famous orchestra.
Designed by Chief Engraver Thomas Pesendorfer, the coin features a design of the instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra on the obverse: a horn, bassoon, harp, four violins, and a cello. The reverse of the coin is decorated with a detailed image of the famous organ of the great hall of the Wiener Musikverein (Viennese Music Association). The coin’s designs haven’t changed since their initial release.
Vienna Philharmonic Gold Coins are available in different weights. Initially, the gold coins were available only in denominations of 1 oz Vienna Philharmonic Gold Coin and 1/4 oz Philharmonic Gold Coins. In 1991, a 1/10 oz Vienna Philharmonic gold coin was introduced, followed by a 1/2 oz Vienna Philharmonic gold coin in 1994 and a smaller 1/25 oz Vienna Philharmonic Gold Coin in 2014. The gold Philharmonic coins are made from 999.9 pure gold.
Silver Philharmonic coins were first issued in 2008 and a Platinum Philharmonic coin was released in 2016. The Silver Philharmonic coins are not stamped with purity but noted as fine silver, which signifies an at least 999 pure silver coin. The platinum Philharmonic coins are made from 999.5 pure platinum.
Other Austrian Mint bullion products
As well as its production of the Vienna Philharmonic series, the Austrian Mint also manufactures other unique Austrian bullion coins. These are historical restrikes of original Austrian circulation gold ducats, guilders, and crowns from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The designs of these historic Austrian coins feature the year of when these coins were last circulated, for example, 1915 for the ducat. Coins of the Austro-Hungarian empire were made from 90% pure gold and were widely accepted across Europe.
In 2019, a special-edition Robin Hood silver coin was released by the Austrian Mint in celebration of the 825th year anniversary. Other commemorative coins released on the anniversary included one featuring the Wiener Neustadt on the obverse and one with the Duke Leopold V of Austria. This 825th anniversary was in celebration of the first minting of coins in Vienna, said to be in 1194. The Austrian Mint references this date as its historical inception.
The Austrian Mint also produces gold ingot bars in different weights ranging from 1 gram up to 1 kg.
Austrian Mint reputation
The Austrian Mint is generally regarded as one of the world’s leading mints, known for its high purity products and popularity amongst investors and collectors alike. The mint is accredited by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
Buy bullion products from the Austrian Mint
Gold and silver coins and bars from the Austrian Mint are some of the most coveted bullion products in Europe. As one of Europe’s leading precious metals dealers, we’re proud to offer a range of Austrian Mint gold and silver products here at StoneX Bullion.
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Browse our collection of bullion products by the Austrian Mint and other prestigious mints and refineries, and enjoy an enduring and valuable investment that stands the test of time.