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Austria Philharmonic Series

The Austria Philharmonic Series refers to a collection of gold, silver, and platinum bullion coins produced by the Austrian Mint (Münze Österreich). These coins are among the most popular and widely traded bullion coins in the world, particularly in Europe. The series is named after the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the most famous orchestras globally, and the design of the coins reflects Austria's rich cultural heritage.

Key Features of the Austria Philharmonic Series:

1. Design:

  1. Obverse (Front):
    1. The obverse of the coins features the Great Organ of the Musikverein, the concert hall of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The design is intricate and represents Austria's strong connection to classical music.
    2. Inscriptions include “REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH” (Republic of Austria), the coin's weight and metal content, the face value, and the year of issue.
  1. Reverse (Back):
    1. The reverse side showcases a collection of musical instruments associated with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, including a Vienna horn, bassoon, harp, cello, and four violins.
    2. The inscription “WIENER PHILHARMONIKER” (Vienna Philharmonic) encircles the top of the coin.

2. Metals and Denominations:

  1. The Austria Philharmonic coins are available in three precious metals: gold, silver, and platinum.
  1. Purity: 99.99% pure gold (24 karats).
  2. Weights: Typically available in 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, and occasionally other fractional sizes.
  3. Face Value: The 1 oz coin has a face value of €100 (previously 2,000 Austrian Schillings before the introduction of the Euro).
    1. Purity: 99.9% pure silver.
    2. Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.1035 grams).
    3. Face Value: €1.50.
  1. Purity: 99.95% pure platinum.
  2. Weight: 1 troy ounce.
  3. Face Value: €100.

3. History:

  1. The Gold Philharmonic was first introduced in 1989 and quickly became one of the best-selling gold coins in Europe and worldwide.
  2. The Silver Philharmonic was introduced in 2008 to cater to silver investors and has also gained popularity.
  3. The Platinum Philharmonic was launched more recently, in 2016, expanding the series to include platinum investors.

4. Investment and Collectibility:

  1. The Austria Philharmonic Series is highly regarded among investors due to the coins' purity, craftsmanship, and recognition globally.
  2. These coins carry legal tender status in Austria, but their market value is determined by the precious metal content rather than the face value.
  3. Collectors appreciate the consistent design and the cultural significance of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

5. Global Popularity:

  1. The Gold Philharmonic has been one of the top-selling bullion coins worldwide for many years, particularly popular in Europe and Japan.
  2. The series' popularity is attributed to its beautiful design, high-quality minting, and the prestige of being associated with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Overall, the Austria Philharmonic Series is not only a tribute to Austria's musical heritage but also a staple in the world of precious metal investing.