1/2 oz Gold Coin - Austrian Philharmonic

Vienna Philharmonic

This has been one of the most popular bullion coins in Europe in recent decades. It has been struck at the national mint of Austria from 1989 and is dedicated to the Philharmonic Orchestra of Vienna.

Like the Canadian Maple Leaf, the Vienna Philharmonic coin is struck in 24k fine gold.

The coin is struck in several weights, while the largest and most popular is the one ounce (face value Euro 100, diameter 37mm, thickness 2mm). It is legal tender in Austria, although the value of the metal is worth much more than the face value. Additional weights are the half ounce and quarter ounce.

The obverse depicts different musical instruments and bears the inscription "Wiener Philharmoniker" (Vienna Philharmonic). The reverse presents the pipe organ in the Vienna Musikverein's Golden Hall surrounded by the inscription "Republik Osterreich" (Republic of Austria), the coin weight, fineness and face value (Euro 100).

From 1989 to 2001, the face value of the coin was in shillings. From 2002, it has been in Euros. This is the bullion coin with the highest face value in the world.

The coin is very liquidable, especially among dealers in Europe, and this means it can be bought and sold easily in Europe VAT free. Like all bullion coins, the premium over gold spot increases when the market goes up and decreases when the market falls.