The Vienna Philharmonic of the Austrian Mint
The Vienna Philharmonic coin, named after the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, is one of the best selling bullion coins in the world. It represents approximately 35–40% of European sales of bullion coins and is also very popular in North America and Japan. The coin features the pipe organ in the Vienna Musikverein’s Golden Hall on the obverse and instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic, including Vienna horn, bassoon, harp, and four violins centered on a cello on the reverse. Produced by the Austrian Mint in silver (.999), gold (99.99%), and platinum (99.95%), the coin was first released in 1989. The one ounce platinum and gold coins have a nominal value of €100 and the one ounce silver coin has a nominal value of €1.50. While one ounce is the standard and the largest produced weight of the Philharmonic (with some noticeable exceptions mentioned below), fractional rounds of 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, and 1/25 of an ounce are produced in gold and 1/25 of an ounce in platinum are produced as well. Only one ounce silver rounds of the Philharmonic are produced by the Austrian Mint.
In 1988 the Austrian National Council authorized the minting of the Philharmonic, the coin was subsequently designed by Thomas Pesendorfer, and the coins were produced for the first time the following year in one ounce and ¼ ounce gold sizes. The popularity of the Philharmonic grew rapidly in the 1990s and at one point it was the best selling gold coin in the world. Coinciding with the launch of the Euro in 2002, the Austrian Mint began producing the Philharmonic in silver. Unlike the gold Philharmonic which has a reeded edge, the silver Philharmonic’s edge is smooth. The Philharmonic is sold in “monster boxes” of 500 silver ounces consisting of 25 tubes with 20 coins in each tube. In 2016, the platinum Philharmonic was launched that has the reeded edge that its gold cousin shares. Interestingly, the gold coin is not subject to VAT taxes in most countries in Europe but the silver coin is.
Two special editions of the Philharmonic have been minted. In 2004 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the coin, “Big Phil” was produced, a 1,000 ounce gold (68.57 pounds of gold) coin with a nominal value of €100,000. This was one of the largest coins ever produced and only 15 were made. For the 20th year anniversary of the Philharmonic, 6,027 20 ounce gold versions of the coin were made.
While typically priced higher than generic rounds, Philharmonics in gold and silver can often be purchased at lower premiums to spot than the SIlver American Eagles in gold and silver. They are also beautiful coins.
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