| Austrian Through the Ages |
Availability of "Austria Through the Ages" coins: US customers can order some current Austrian
coin products through the Austrian Mint's official US distributor at:
http://www.eurocollections.com.
The "Austria through the Ages" series consist of eight Silver coins (Proof Only Issues)
commemorating eight distinct time periods or major influences that have helped shape Austria's
history (all of Europe's history too, for that matter). The first four coins issued in the series have
the face value of 100 Schillings while the last four have a face value of 20 Euros.
They were minted with a limited production run of 50,000 specimens each. The specifications for all
eight coins are the same with the exception of the denomination change after 2001. They are
0.900 Silver, weigh 18.00g and are 34.00mm in diameter. They are slightly larger than a US
half-dollar (30.6mm) and slightly smaller than a US Silver dollar (38.1mm).
coin products through the Austrian Mint's official US distributor at:
http://www.eurocollections.com.
The "Austria through the Ages" series consist of eight Silver coins (Proof Only Issues)
commemorating eight distinct time periods or major influences that have helped shape Austria's
history (all of Europe's history too, for that matter). The first four coins issued in the series have
the face value of 100 Schillings while the last four have a face value of 20 Euros.
They were minted with a limited production run of 50,000 specimens each. The specifications for all
eight coins are the same with the exception of the denomination change after 2001. They are
0.900 Silver, weigh 18.00g and are 34.00mm in diameter. They are slightly larger than a US
half-dollar (30.6mm) and slightly smaller than a US Silver dollar (38.1mm).
| 2000 The Celts (Die Kelten). |
The first coin of this series is dedicated to the Celts who settled in the territory that would later become Austria. The Celts
settled in areas all across Europe, from Ireland and Scotland down into Spain and the Balkans. Among other noteworthy
accomplishments, the Celts were the first to strike coins on Austrian soil. The obverse depicts a miner with a pick axe mining
salt. A torch in the background provides light, and near him is a basket which will be used to carry out the "white gold". The
inscription around the perimeter reads, "Republik Österreich - 100 Schilling - 2000".
The reverse is modeled after an actual Celtic coin and depicts a mounted warrior with helmet and spear. The word
"ADNAMATI" (the name of a local Chieftain) is broken up around the coin as it appeared on the original. The two rings are
issuing marks and the design is deliberately off-center which was fairly common with hand-struck coinage. The coin shows a
beaded edge and was designed by Thomas Pesendorfer. It was first released on June 7, 2000.
settled in areas all across Europe, from Ireland and Scotland down into Spain and the Balkans. Among other noteworthy
accomplishments, the Celts were the first to strike coins on Austrian soil. The obverse depicts a miner with a pick axe mining
salt. A torch in the background provides light, and near him is a basket which will be used to carry out the "white gold". The
inscription around the perimeter reads, "Republik Österreich - 100 Schilling - 2000".
The reverse is modeled after an actual Celtic coin and depicts a mounted warrior with helmet and spear. The word
"ADNAMATI" (the name of a local Chieftain) is broken up around the coin as it appeared on the original. The two rings are
issuing marks and the design is deliberately off-center which was fairly common with hand-struck coinage. The coin shows a
beaded edge and was designed by Thomas Pesendorfer. It was first released on June 7, 2000.
| 2000 - 2 - The Romans (Die Römer). |
The second coin of the series commemorates the era of Roman rule in Austria
The obverse of the coin shows a detachment of Roman legionaries led by a
centurion crossing the Danube by means of a pontoon bridge along with the
inscription "2000 Republik Österreich 100 Schilling". It was designed by Thomas
Pesendorfer and was first released September 13, 2000.
The obverse of the coin shows a detachment of Roman legionaries led by a
centurion crossing the Danube by means of a pontoon bridge along with the
inscription "2000 Republik Österreich 100 Schilling". It was designed by Thomas
Pesendorfer and was first released September 13, 2000.
2001 - 1 - The Holy Roman Empire
(Das Heilige Römisch Reich)
(Picture not available at this time)
2001 - 2 - The Middle Ages (Das
Mittelalter)
(Picture not available at this time)
(Das Heilige Römisch Reich)
(Picture not available at this time)
2001 - 2 - The Middle Ages (Das
Mittelalter)
(Picture not available at this time)
2002 - 1 - The Renaissance ("Die
Neuzeit")
Neuzeit")
2002 - 2 - The Baroque Period ("Die
Barockzeit")
Barockzeit")
The coin depicts a portrait of Ferdinand I, the brother of
the Emperor Charles V. The reverse of the coin shows
the "Swiss Gate" in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. It is
flanked by two soldiers of the period as a reminder of the
unsettled times which saw Vienna besieged by Turkish
armies in 1529 as well as the struggles between
Protestants and Catholics during the Reformation.
Designed by Thomas Pesendorfer and was first released
June 12, 2002.
This coin is the first in the series to reflect the change over
to the Euro and is denominated as 20 Euros.
the Emperor Charles V. The reverse of the coin shows
the "Swiss Gate" in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. It is
flanked by two soldiers of the period as a reminder of the
unsettled times which saw Vienna besieged by Turkish
armies in 1529 as well as the struggles between
Protestants and Catholics during the Reformation.
Designed by Thomas Pesendorfer and was first released
June 12, 2002.
This coin is the first in the series to reflect the change over
to the Euro and is denominated as 20 Euros.
The 6th coin in the series represents the Baroque Period.
The obverse of the coin displays a portrait of Prince Eugene
of Savoy and an arrangement of cannon, flags, and captured
standards in the background. The reverse shows the Grand
Staircase in the town palace of Prince Eugene, now the
Austrian Ministry of Finance. Gods and demi-gods support
its elaborate flights of stairs and a statue of Hercules is
standing in a niche at the turn of the staircase.
The coin was designed by Andreas Zanaschka and Thomas
Pesendorfer and was first released September 11,
2002.
The obverse of the coin displays a portrait of Prince Eugene
of Savoy and an arrangement of cannon, flags, and captured
standards in the background. The reverse shows the Grand
Staircase in the town palace of Prince Eugene, now the
Austrian Ministry of Finance. Gods and demi-gods support
its elaborate flights of stairs and a statue of Hercules is
standing in a niche at the turn of the staircase.
The coin was designed by Andreas Zanaschka and Thomas
Pesendorfer and was first released September 11,
2002.
2003 The Early 19th Century (Biedermeierzeit)
This coin is dedicated to the thirty or so years following the Napoleonic Wars
(1815-1848), known in Central Europe as the “Biedermeier” period. The coin
depicts the famous and controversial statesman, Prince Metternich, known
even in his own times as the “Coachman of Europe”. He was one of the
mainstays or driving forces in conservative political settlement in Europe
during this period.
(1815-1848), known in Central Europe as the “Biedermeier” period. The coin
depicts the famous and controversial statesman, Prince Metternich, known
even in his own times as the “Coachman of Europe”. He was one of the
mainstays or driving forces in conservative political settlement in Europe
during this period.
Prince Metternich is portrayed on the reverse of the coin in front of a map of Europe, as redrawn at the Congress of Vienna
(1814-15) after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The coin’s obverse shows an early steam locomotive (the Ajax) used on Austria’s first railway line, the Emperor Ferdinand’s
Nordbahn, (Northern Railway) which was opened in 1837/8. The Ajax locomotive may still be seen today in a railway
museum in Austria. This side of the coin also bears the country of issue Austria (Republik Österreich) as well as the face
value of 20 euros and the year of issue, 2003.
The name Biedermeier comes from a figure in contemporary German literature of this period, “Herr Biedermeier,” who
embodied the virtues of a well-behaved, dull, middle-class citizen leading a pleasant, if uneventful, life together with his cozy
family. The term “Biedermeier” was given to this period only at the end of 19th century. The Biedermeier period came to an
end in the revolutions of 1848.
It is .900 fine silver, struck in proof only, contains 18 grams of silver, and has a diameter of 34 mm. The maximum worldwide
mintage is only 50,000 pieces. Issued June 11, 2003.
(1814-15) after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The coin’s obverse shows an early steam locomotive (the Ajax) used on Austria’s first railway line, the Emperor Ferdinand’s
Nordbahn, (Northern Railway) which was opened in 1837/8. The Ajax locomotive may still be seen today in a railway
museum in Austria. This side of the coin also bears the country of issue Austria (Republik Österreich) as well as the face
value of 20 euros and the year of issue, 2003.
The name Biedermeier comes from a figure in contemporary German literature of this period, “Herr Biedermeier,” who
embodied the virtues of a well-behaved, dull, middle-class citizen leading a pleasant, if uneventful, life together with his cozy
family. The term “Biedermeier” was given to this period only at the end of 19th century. The Biedermeier period came to an
end in the revolutions of 1848.
It is .900 fine silver, struck in proof only, contains 18 grams of silver, and has a diameter of 34 mm. The maximum worldwide
mintage is only 50,000 pieces. Issued June 11, 2003.
2003 The Post-War Period (Nachkriegszeit)
The eighth and final coin of the series "Austria through the Ages" representing
the reconstruction of an independent Austria.
The coin shows both the “Four in a Jeep” and the design of a E.R.P. (European
Recovery Program) poster on the one side. The German inscription
“Wiederaufbau in Österreich” translates as “Reconstruction in Austria”. The
other side of the coin displays the coat-of-arms of the Second Republic.
the reconstruction of an independent Austria.
The coin shows both the “Four in a Jeep” and the design of a E.R.P. (European
Recovery Program) poster on the one side. The German inscription
“Wiederaufbau in Österreich” translates as “Reconstruction in Austria”. The
other side of the coin displays the coat-of-arms of the Second Republic.
The broken chains on the eagle’s claws symbolize the re-birth of an independent and sovereign state freed from Nazi
bondage. To the right is draped the red-white-red flag of Austria. To the left is the flag of the European Union, representing
Austria’s participation in the new organization of European states.
This coin is dedicated to the most recent epoch of Austrian history, that of the post-war period down to the present day.
After the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, Austria was restored as an independent nation, but was occupied in four zones by
the victorious allies for another ten years. The capital of Vienna also was divided in occupation zones; only the center was
administered collectively. Here, when the military police were on patrol or called out, there had to be a representative of
each of the four powers (U.S.A. Great Britain, France and the U.S.S.R.) in the jeep.
The “Four in a Jeep” became a symbol of the years of occupation and reconstruction after the war. The other major factor in
helping Austria (and Germany too, of course) back on her feet was the E.R.P., the European Recovery Program, better
known as the “Marshall Plan” after its initiator, American Foreign Secretary George C. Marshall. This program of massive
loans and economic support laid the foundations for the “economic miracle” of the 1960’s and consequently of modern
Austria’s prosperity today.
The coin is .900 fine silver, struck in proof only, contains 18 grams of silver, and has a diameter of 34 mm. The maximum
worldwide mintage is only 50,000 pieces. Issued September 11, 2003.
bondage. To the right is draped the red-white-red flag of Austria. To the left is the flag of the European Union, representing
Austria’s participation in the new organization of European states.
This coin is dedicated to the most recent epoch of Austrian history, that of the post-war period down to the present day.
After the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, Austria was restored as an independent nation, but was occupied in four zones by
the victorious allies for another ten years. The capital of Vienna also was divided in occupation zones; only the center was
administered collectively. Here, when the military police were on patrol or called out, there had to be a representative of
each of the four powers (U.S.A. Great Britain, France and the U.S.S.R.) in the jeep.
The “Four in a Jeep” became a symbol of the years of occupation and reconstruction after the war. The other major factor in
helping Austria (and Germany too, of course) back on her feet was the E.R.P., the European Recovery Program, better
known as the “Marshall Plan” after its initiator, American Foreign Secretary George C. Marshall. This program of massive
loans and economic support laid the foundations for the “economic miracle” of the 1960’s and consequently of modern
Austria’s prosperity today.
The coin is .900 fine silver, struck in proof only, contains 18 grams of silver, and has a diameter of 34 mm. The maximum
worldwide mintage is only 50,000 pieces. Issued September 11, 2003.
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