The Austrian Philharmonic Silver coin was introduced in 2008 in response to the popularity of the Austrian Philharmonic gold coin series. The Gold Philharmonic is the series' main coin, and it was first released in 1989.
Thomas Pesendorfer, Chief Engraver of the Austrian Mint, created the designs for the Austrian Philharmonic coins' obverse and reverse in 1989. Each year, the same designs are used on both the gold and silver philharmonic coins.
The Gold Philharmonic includes a one-ounce coin and numerous fractional-weight alternatives. However the Silver Philharmonic, like many other silver coins, is only available in a 1 ounce size.
Austrian Philharmonic Silver Coins
Austrian silver philharmonic coins are struck from one ounce of.999 fine silver bullion.
Each coin has a face value of €1.50, is 37 mm in diameter, and is 3.2 mm thick. The reverse depicts the Great Organ at Vienna's Musikverein, a classic music venue home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and also has information about the coin's year of minting, face value, and silver content.
On the back, a musical instrument arrangement comprises a string bass flanked by cellos and violins, as well as a Viennese horn, harp, and bassoon.
The coin pays tribute to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Austrian capital's illustrious musical legacy. The typeface used for the philharmonic silver coin is inspired by the Vienna Secession, a late-nineteenth-century aesthetic movement that promoted originality in art.
Philharmonic silver coins are a great example of a bullion product that captures the history and culture of the nation in which it is produced. The silver philharmonic is as iconic of Austrian nationality as the bald eagle or the maple leaf, all of which appear on their respective gold and silver coins.
Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coins
Austrian Philharmonic gold coins are sometimes referred to as Vienna Philharmonics or simply "Philharmonics." They are minted by the Austrian Mint in gold, silver, or platinum. The name comes from the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic ensemble, which is shown prominently on both sides of the coin.
Introduced in 1989, the gold Philharmonic debuted with a face value of 2,000 Austrian Schillings, and was immediately one of the world's most popular bullion coins. These coins have a purity of 999.9 (24 carats). The Philharmonic series particularly popular in Europe. Initially offered in two sizes, 1oz and 1/4oz, it was Europe's and the world's best-selling bullion coin by 1990. Other available sizes, including 1/10 oz and 1/2 oz coins, were launched in 1991 and 1994, respectively.
The Platinum Philharmonic Coin
With .9995 purity, the Platinum Philharmonic Coin features a similar design to the gold and silver philharmonic. The coin was first introduced in 2016, and has a purity of 999.5.
Conclusion
Austria is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, which is perhaps the most known orchestra in the world. They have performed in a variety of places worldwide, ranging from athletic events to presidential inaugurations. The Vienna Philharmonic's selection procedure is one of the most stringent and exhaustive in the world. And this quality is reflected in the beauty of the Philharmonic coin series.
