The Vienna Philharmonic (German: Wiener Philharmoniker), often shortened to just Philharmonic or called the Austrian Philharmonic, is a bullion coin of gold, silver, or platinum produced by the Austrian Mint (Münze Österreich). The coin is named for the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, which inspired the design of both sides. It was introduced in 1989 as a one ounce and a quarter ounce gold coin, to which In later years more sizes and metals were added - including a gold half ounce initially denominated as 1,000 schillings.
In 2002, with the adoption of the euro currency, the nominal value of the half ounce gold coin was changed to 50 Euros. Because they are not in the standard circulating denominations (from 1 Euro Cent to €2), the coins are legal tender in Austria only and not in the whole Eurozone. Like any bullion coin though, their actual value is based primarily on the metal content and the spot price of that metal on the commodities markets.
The design on the coin remains the same each year; only the year of issue changes. The obverse of the coin depicts the pipe organ in the Vienna Musikverein's Golden Hall. The reverse shows instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic, including Vienna horn, bassoon, harp, and four violins centred on a cello. Both designs were produced by Thomas Pesendorfer, who was the chief engraver of the Austrian Mint between 1993 and 2016. |
| Obverse | |
|---|
The obverse design of the coin features the pipe organ from Goldener Saal (the Golden Hall) in the Musikverein, the concert hall in Vienna where the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra plays.
Around above, the legend REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH (translated from German: Republic of Austria).
In the exergue, the precious metal content 1/2 UNZE GOLD 999.9 (one half of a troy ounce of 99.99% gold), below which the date of issue [year].
Around below, the nominal face value 50 EURO. |
|
