Knowledge

Vienna Philharmonic

Information about the Gold Philharmonic

The Vienna Philharmonic Gold is an Austrian gold coin, first issued by Münze Österreich in 1989. The Gold Philharmonic is the second bullion coin made of gold after the Gold Britannia and is legal tender. Since the currency change in 2002, the coin is no longer tagged in Schilling, but in Euro. This coin remains the only bullion coin in Europe with a nominal value in Euro.

 

The Philharmonic is available in the following fine weights:

  • 1 oz: weight 31.10 grams, dimensions 37 x 2 millimeters, nominal €100

  • ½ oz: weight 15.55 grams, dimensions 28 x 1.60 millimeters, nominal €50

  • ¼ oz: weight 7.78 grams, dimensions 22 x 1.20 millimeters, nominal €25

  • 1/10 oz: weight 3.12 grams, dimensions 16 x 1.20 millimeters, nominal €10

The design of the gold coin

The motif on the gold coin always stays the same, apart from the year of mint: The front of the Vienna Philharmonic features the famous big pipe organ of the golden hall at the Wiener Musikverein. The reverse shows some instruments of the world-famous Viennese orchestra — a horn, a bassoon, a harp, four violins, and a cello in the middle. The coin design, designed by Thomas Pesendorfer, has remained unchanged since the first Philharmonic coin was introduced on October 10, 1989.

 

The Vienna Philharmonic’s gold has a fineness of 999,9. Initially the coin was issued in 1 ounce and 1/4 ounce, now it is available in 1/2 ounce, 1/10 ounce and since 2014 in 1/25 ounce. The selling price complies with the up-to-date gold prices in addition to a small surcharge. The Vienna Gold Philharmonic is of particular importance, especially in North America and Japan. It is the most successful European investment gold coin and, according to the World Gold Council, the best-selling gold coin in the world in 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2000. Since 2008, the Vienna Philharmonic is available in silver, and since 2016 also in platinum.

 

Since the metal value is significantly higher than the stamped value, the Philharmonic coin is traded at the current price of gold or silver plus the minting surcharge. The silver coin, also known internationally as "Silver Harmony", has only been available since 2008. Compared to its gold model, it is somewhat thicker because of the lower density of silver. The ribbed edge is also missing. The motive, however, is the same.