Coins from Austria
Type: Gold Half Ounce (1/2 oz) Pre-Euro
Gold Half Ounce 1997 Vienna Philharmonic
Gold Half Ounce 1997 Vienna Philharmonic, Coin from Austria - detailed information
Gold Half Ounce 1997 Vienna Philharmonic, Coin from Austria (demonetised 2002)
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. In later years, more sizes and metals were added, including a gold half ounce 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. Like any bullion coin though, their actual value is unrelated to the face value, and 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. Both the obverse and reverse were designed by Thomas Pesendorfer, who was the chief engraver of the Austrian Mint between 1993 and 2016.
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 1997.
Around below, the nominal face value 1000 SCHILLING.
REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH 1/2 UNZE GOLD 999.9 1997 1000 SCHILLING
The reverse design features an array of musical instruments typical for the orchestra: four violins either side of a cello in the foreground, and the Viennese horn, the bassoon and the harp behind.
Around above, the inscription WIENER PHILHARMONIKER (Vienna Philharmonic).
WIENER PHILHARMONIKER
Milled interrupted
Finish: bullion (Brilliant Uncirculated).
All (8) coins of type: Gold Half Ounce (1/2 oz) Pre-Euro
Gold Half Ounce 1994 Vienna Philharmonic 94,700 REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH 1/2 UNZE GOLD 999.9 1994 1000 SCHILLING
Gold Half Ounce 1997 Vienna Philharmonic: Details
Gold Half Ounce (1/2 oz) Pre-Euro
1000 (x Schilling)
No; demonetised 2002
Thomas Pesendorfer
RNAZ-EGWC-BKMY-EXJL
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Gold Half Ounce 1997 Vienna Philharmonic: Catalogue Reference IDs
Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World
Austria Fr# B2
Austria KM# 3031