Special euro coins produced and issued by Eurozone member states are known as euro commemorative coins. These are usually made of gold or silver, and rarely from other precious metals. On the 1st of January in 2001, Austria along with 12 other Eurozone member countries introduced the euro. From then onwards, both gold and silver commemorative euro coins, and normal issue Austrian euro coins are manufactured by the Austrian Mint. While regular Austrian euro coins can be used as money in all Eurozone member states, gold commemorative coins are legal tender only within the Austrian borders.
Although Austrian gold coins can be used as money within the country, they are not meant to be utilized for payments. This is the reason why they are known as collector’s coins. The actual value of these coins far exceeds their tender or face value. Their value depends on the value of gold present in them. These coins often commemorate special current events or historical event anniversaries. This makes them especially attractive to collectors. Vienna or Austrian Philharmonic is a pure gold bullion coin. It is one of the few 24 karats or 999.9 fineness gold bullion coins. It has been declared the best selling gold coin in the world by the World Gold Council in years 1996, 1995 and 1992.
Various Denominations of Austrian Philharmonic Coins
Austrian philharmonic coins are issued each year in four different weights, sizes and face values. The coins with 10 euro face value weigh 3.121 grams, and have a thickness and diameter of 1.2 mm and 16 mm respectively. Gold coins with 25 euro face value weigh 7.776 grams, are 1.2 mm thick and have a diameter of 22 mm. Those with 50 euro face value weigh 15.552 grams, and have a thickness and diameter of 1.6 mm and 28 mm respectively. Finally, Austrian gold coins with 100 euro face value weigh 31.103 grams, are 2 mm thick and have a diameter of 37 mm.
In year 2004, limited edition Austrian philharmonic gold coins with a face value of 100,000 were minted. These coins weighed 31.103 kg, and had a thickness and diameter of 20 mm and 370 mm respectively. Only 15 such coins were minted, which were all sold out in less than 2 weeks of release. All philharmonics are made of 24 carat pure gold.
Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coin Design
On the obverse side, Austrian gold coins feature an image of the great organ at the Golden Hall in Musikverein, Vienna, which is the home of world renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The design on the reverse side depicts various Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra instruments like Viennese horn, bassoon, harp, cellos, violins and a string base. The reverse side also features inscription ‘Wiener Philharmoniker’ meaning ‘Vienna Philharmonic’. The beautiful design and rich pure golden color make Austrian philharmonic gold coins the preferred choice among collectors.
Why Invest in Austrian Gold Philharmonics?
In the current volatile economic climate, gold is probably the most secure investment option. Investment in gold is unaffected by bank failures or the volatility of paper stocks. Moreover, it is recognized universally and can be easily converted into money anywhere in the world. This is the reason why more and more investors have been investing in gold since the beginning of worldwide economic crisis in 2008.
Coins and bars are the most common methods of investing in gold. Philharmonics are one of the most popular gold bullion coins not only in Europe, but across the globe. Even at the peak of global financial crisis in 2008, the sale of 1 oz Austrian gold coins was more than that of other popular gold bullion coins like South African Krugerrands and the United State Mint’s American Gold Eagles. If you are looking for a pure gold bullion coin to invest in, philharmonics are one of your best options.
Over the years Austrian gold coins have been known for their excellent quality. You can easily buy Austrian philharmonic gold coins online. This allows you to make a purchase within the comfort of your own home. Most online dealers offer a number of payment options to choose from. This makes the purchase even more convenient. The most important thing while purchasing gold bullion coins online is the selection of a reliable dealer. You can be sure of getting the best possible service from well established dealers like APMEX. Memberships of bodies like ANA (American Numismatic Association) and NGC (Numismatic Guarantee Corporation) that offer bullion coin grading services are also an indicator of a dealer’s reliability.