Austria Official Mint Gold Coins & Bars
Since 1989, the Austrian Mint has been issuing the Vienna Philharmonic , which has become one of the best-known and most popular gold coins in the world. But the golden Philharmonic is far from the only gold coin that the Austrian Mint issues. In its long history, the Austrian Mint, respectively its predecessor institutions issued numerous gold coins classics, which are in demand as bullion and collector coins worldwide.
Ducats, florins & crowns - the gold coins of the Habsburgs
In the long history in which the mint as a quasi-governmental institution was closely connected with the Habsburg Empire of Hungary-Austria for a long time, the Austrian Mint minted numerous well-known gold coins.
Gold ducats
Already from the 16th century, the then "Vienna Mint" issued the first golden ducats.
Today, the Austrian Mint issues gold ducats as a restrike. Ducats are available as a 1-time ducat or as a 4-time ducat. The year 1915 is always found on these restrike ducats with the head of Emperor Franz Joseph. These gold ducats are today among the most popular Austrian bullion coins.
Guilder
The gulden was the currency of the 19th century and initially consisted mainly of silver coins. From 1870, 4-guilder and 8-guilder coins were minted in gold, before the crown replaced the guilder as currency in 1892.
The Vienna Main Mint, as the predecessor of the Austrian Mint, issued reprints of the historical florins as so-called "trade gold coins". While the 8 gulden gold piece was only issued until 1988, restrikes of the 4 gulden piece appeared until 1999.
Gold crown
The crown was the official currency of Austria between 1892 and 1916. The gold crowns were initially issued with the two denominations 10 and 20 crowns. For the throne anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph in 1908, another gold coin appeared with the 100 crown coin. As bullion gold coins, the Main Mint Office, or the Austrian Mint until 1992 issued reprints of the crown as "trade gold coins". The mintage of the restrikes varied greatly from year to year, so that today's price depends heavily on the year of mintage. The original mintings, which are over 100 years old, are rare collector's items and extremely sought after.
Due to the former dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, numerous coins from the 19th and 20th centuries are attributed to a Hungarian mint. Strictly speaking, however, the Hungarian Korona gold coins from the time of the Danube Monarchy can also be considered products of the Main Mint.
Gold coins with shilling denominations
After the currency reform in 1924, the schilling was the official currency of Austria. During the First Republic, gold shilling coins with a face value of 25 and 100 schillings were minted from 1924 until Austria's annexation in 1938.
The first shilling gold coin of the Second Republic was issued by the Austrian Mint in 1976 with the 1000 shilling Babenberger coin. It was considered legal tender at the time. The background to this gold coin dedicated to the ducal dynasty of the Babenbergs was to supplement the restrikes of the ducats, florins and crowns with a modern gold bullion coin. A total of 1.8 million pieces of the Babenberg 1000 shilling coin were minted.
Then in 1989, the Austrian Mint finally minted the first Vienna Philharmonicinitially with denominations of 2000 shillings (1 ounce) and 500 shillings (1/4 ounce). In 1991, the series was then supplemented by the nominal value 200 shillings (1/10 ounce) and in 1994 by a 1000 shilling Philharmoniker (1/2 ounce).
In addition, the Austrian Mint issued new 500 shilling and 1000 shilling commemorative gold coins annually starting in 1991.
Austria Mint Euro Gold Coins
Due to the introduction of the Euro, it was no longer possible to use Schilling denominations from 2002 onwards.
The commemorative gold coins, as well as the Vienna Philharmonic , have therefore since been issued as euro gold coins. The commemorative gold coins appear since then with the denominations of 50 euros and 100 euros. The Philharmonic continues with the denomination of 1, ½, ¼ and 1/10 ounce now with the nominal values of 10 euros, 25 euros, 50 euros and 100 euros and since 2014 also as a 4 euro coin with 1/25 ounce.
A special issue appeared in 2004 with the 1000 ounce giant Vienna Philharmonic "Big Phil" which adorned a face value of 100,000 euros. The coin exists a total of 15 times, with each piece consisting of more than 31 kilos of pure gold.
Cash Gold - Austrian Mint Gold Bars
In addition to gold coins, the Austrian Mint also issues gold bars weighing between one gram and one kilo in 24-carat gold. The Austrian Mint is the only Austrian manufacturer of gold bars with a "Good Delivery" certificate, which is awarded by the London Bullion Market Association under strict controls and conditions. The bars are minted on behalf of the Austrian Mint by Argor-Heraeus in Switzerland in sizes from 1g to 100g and cast from 250g to 1000g. The smaller minting bars are also available as kinebars, i.e. with a kinegram on the back of the bar.
Gold & Co is official partner
As an official partner of the Austrian Mint, you can buy and sell bullion coins, collector coins and gold bars of the Austrian Mint at Gold & Co. Just drop by one of our branches in Vienna or contact us directly!
