Information about Ferdinand Welz

Ferdinand Maria Josef Welz was a director of the master school for medal making at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. He also designed several of the Austrian Schilling coins.

Welz initially completed an apprenticeship as an engraver in Vienna. In 1933 he moved to the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and studied sculpture there. In 1938 he completed his academic education. In 1940 he became head of the engraving department in the main mint in Vienna. After World War II he continued to work as a freelance artist and briefly moved to Sweden. In 1955 he received a teaching position at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he headed the master school for medal making. From 1970 to 1972 he became rector and from 1972 to 1976 he held the office of pro-rector.

Welz is best known for his work on the shilling currency. He designed the edelweiss on the 1 shilling coin and the woman with a gold hood for the 10 shilling coin. He also designed a number of commemorative coins, including for the hundredth birthday of Max Reinhardt and Franz Lehár. One of his last works was a coin on the occasion of the Pope's visit to Austria in 1988.

Some of his works include:
- 10 shilling coin (1957-1973) both sides, 1974 - 2001 obverse
- 50 groschen coin 1959 - 2001 obverse
- 1 Schilling coin 1959 - 2001 - the famous edelweiss obverse
- some 25, 50, 100 and 500 Schilling silver coins, including the Republic of Austria's 1965 coin commemorating the founding of the University of Vienna by Rudolf IV of Habsburg, Duke of Austria.