Vienna Philharmonic Coin in 1/2 Ounce Gold: The temporary size, this much-loved investment coin contains 15.55 grams of pure gold. It has been on the market since October 1994 and has a face value of 50 euros.

First issued in October 1989, the Vienna Philharmonic gold coin is the most successful investment coin in Europe. According to the World Gold Council, it was the best-selling gold coin in the world in 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2000. Given its success, it is strange to think that the coin in its current design may never have seen the light of day.

History and design of the coin

Since November 1998, a change in Austrian law has allowed the issuance of pure gold coins for investment purposes. Thus was born the idea of ​​designing a gold coin that symbolizes Austria.

The coin was designed by Thomas Pesendorfer, chief engraver at the Austrian Mint. He chose eight characteristic orchestral instruments for the reverse: four violins on either side of a cello in the foreground and the Vienna horn, bassoon and harp in the background. The obverse depicts the famous pipe organ from the Goldener Saal of the Vienna Musikverein, recognized worldwide as the backdrop to the Philharmonic's New Year's Eve concerts. The organ case was designed by the architect Theophil von Hansen, who was responsible for the entire building. The original organ was built by Friedrich Ladegast in 1872 and since then the organ has been renovated and replaced on various occasions, the last being in 2011. Visually, the organ body remains unchanged despite the technical changes. Above the organ, the words "Republik Oesterreich" stood in a semicircle, while the weight and fineness of the coin, with the date of issue below, stood under the organ's balustrade.

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