Austria | |
| Edge | Smooth |
|---|---|
| Composition | 99.99%gold, 99.95%platinum, 99.9%silver |
| Years of minting | 1989–present |
| Obverse | |
 | |
| Design | Musikverein Pipe Organ |
| Designer | Thomas Pesendorfer |
| Design date | 1989 |
| Reverse | |
 | |
| Design | Orchestra instruments |
| Designer | Thomas Pesendorfer |
| Design date | 1989 |
TheVienna Philharmonic (German:Wiener Philharmoniker), often shortened toPhilharmonic, is abullion coin of gold, silver, or platinum produced by theAustrian Mint (Münze Österreich). The coin is named for theVienna Philharmonic orchestra, which inspired the design of both sides. It was introduced in 1989, as a one-troy ounce (ozt) gold coin with aface value of 2,000 Austrian schillings. It is one of the world's best selling bullion coins.[1][2] In 2002, with the adoption of the euro currency, the nominal value of the one-ounce coin was changed to 100 euros. In 2008, the Mint introduced a one-ounce silver version of the coin with a nominal value of 1.5 euros. The silver coin is also one of the top selling bullion coins, ranked third in 2013.[1] In 2016, the mint introduced a one-ounceplatinum coin with a face value of 100 euros.[3]
Like any bullion coin, the value is based primarily on the metal content and the spot price of that metal on the commodities markets. The gold Philharmonic has afineness of 999.9 (often written 0.9999, also known as 24karat or 99.99% pure).[4] In most countries in Europe, the gold Philharmonic is tradedVAT-free while the Silver Philharmonic is partly subject to a reduced VAT rate. The coins are minted according to demand and production varies from year to year accordingly. The design on the coin remains the same each year; only the year of issue changes. From the outset, the obverse of the coin depicts the pipe organ in the ViennaMusikverein's Golden Hall. The reverse of the coin shows instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic, includingVienna horn, bassoon, harp, and four violins centered on a cello. Both designs were produced by the Chief Engraver of the Austrian Mint, Thomas Pesendorfer.
In November 1988, the Austrian Mint was authorized to produce one-ounce and fractional-ounce gold bullion coins by theAustrian National Council.[5]The gold Vienna Philharmonic was first offered on October 10, 1989, and was initially minted in two sizes: one-ounce and one-quarter ounce. The one-tenth and one-half ounce coins were added in 1991 and 1994 respectively. All coins feature the same design with the only difference being the weight and face value shown. The popularity of the Vienna Philharmonic grew quickly: in 1990, the coin was the best selling in Europe and second in the world. In 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2000 the World Gold Council declared it the best-selling gold coin in the world.[4] Since its introduction in October 1989 up to 2012, more than 14 million Philharmonics have been sold for a total weight of 9.6 million ounces or approximately 329 tons of gold.
After the introduction of theeuro, Philharmonics began to be minted with a face value denominated in the new currency starting in 2002. Since February 1, 2008, a one-ounce silver version of the coin with a nominal value of 1.5 euros has been issued, struck from 99.9 percent pure silver.[6] Coins are shipped in boxes of 500, called "monster boxes". Each monster box consists of 25 tubes of 20 coins each.[7] Sales of the silver Philharmonic have been brisk with over five million coins sold, equal to 1,800 tons of silver in the 5-year period of 2008 through 2012.
The mint introduced a one-ounce platinum coin with the same design as the gold and silver in 2016. Like the gold coin, it has a face value of 100 euros. The purity is shown as 999.5 with the obverse of the coin reading "1 UNZE PLATIN 999.5."[3]
The Vienna Philharmonic is currently the only European bullion coin with a face value in euros, although it is onlylegal tender in Austria. In 2004, the Vienna Philharmonic accounted for 35 to 40% of sales in Europe. It is also popular in Japan and North America. In 2022, the Vienna Philharmonic gold coin was the top-selling bullion gold coin in Japan and Europe.[8]
For the 25th anniversary of the Vienna Philharmonic gold coin, the mint introduced the1⁄25-ounce coin featuring the same design, but with a face value of 4 euros. Also for the anniversary, 5,000proof sets of the one-ounce and one-quarter ounce coins were produced.[9] The1⁄25-ounce coin has been continued in production.
The design for the coin was originally created by Thomas Pesendorfer to be used for the gold Vienna Philharmonic that was first issued in 1989.[10] The Austrian Mint introduced the silver version of the coin in 2008. The design was unchanged and has remained the same each year.[11]
The obverse features thepipe organ from Golden Hall in theMusikverein, the concert hall in Vienna wherethe namesake orchestra plays. The German words "REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH" (Republic of Austria), the composition and the weight are also minted on the obverse.[4] The reverse design features an array of musical instruments, including: a harp, violins, a cello, abassoon and aVienna horn. The words "WIENER PHILHARMONIKER" (Vienna Philharmonic) is also inscribed, as well as "SILBER" (Silver) or "PLATIN" (Platinum) on the respective coins.[4]
Gold Philharmonic specifications:
| Size | Diameter | Thickness | Weight | Face value | Years minted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1⁄25 ozt | 13.0 mm (0.5 in) | 1.2441 g | 4 euros | from 2014 | ||
| 1⁄10 ozt | 16.0 mm (0.6 in) | 1.2 mm (0.05 in) | 3.121 g | 10 euros | 200 schillings | from 1991 |
| 1⁄4 ozt | 22.0 mm (0.9 in) | 7.776 g | 25 euros | 500 schillings | from 1989 | |
| 1⁄2 ozt | 28.0 mm (1.1 in) | 1.6 mm (0.06 in) | 15.552 g | 50 euros | 1,000 schillings | from 1994 |
| 1 ozt | 37.0 mm (1.5 in) | 2.0 mm (0.08 in) | 31.103 g | 100 euros | 2,000 schillings | from 1989 |
Silver Philharmonic specifications:
| Size | Diameter | Thickness | Weight | Face value | Years minted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ozt | 37.0 mm (1.5 in) | 3.2 mm (0.13 in) | 31.103 g | 1.5 euros | from 2008 |
Platinum Philharmonic specifications:
| Size | Diameter | Thickness | Weight | Face value | Years minted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1⁄25 ozt | 13.0 mm (0.5 in) | 1.24 g | 4 euros | from 2017 | |
| 1 ozt | 37.0 mm (1.5 in) | 1.35 mm (0.05 in) | 31.10 g | 100 euros | from 2016 |
For the 15th anniversary of the Vienna Philharmonic bullion coin in 2004, the Austrian Mint created a 1,000-troy ounce version with nominal value 100,000 euros.[12] The "Big Phil" coin consists of 31.103 kilograms (68.57 lb) of gold. Dimensions were increased by tenfold over the one ounce coin, yielding a diameter of 37 centimetres (15 in) and 2 centimetres (0.79 in) thickness (10 times thicker; 10 times wider; 1,000 times heavier than the standard 1-ounce coin). It was one of the largest coins with the highest denomination, until it was eclipsed, in 2007, by the Royal Canadian Mint's 100 kilograms (220 lb) version of theCanadian Gold Maple Leaf with a face value of 1,000,000Canadian dollars. In keeping with the 15th anniversary theme, only fifteen 100,000-euro Philharmonics were produced.[13] The coin was unveiled in front of theWiener Riesenrad in Vienna. One of the coins is displayed in the foyer of the Munich headquarters of precious metals company Pro Aurum.[14]
For the 20th anniversary of the Vienna Philharmonic coin, the Austrian Mint created a new size of the coin. This coin has a face value of 2,000 euros and a fine weight of 20 troy ounces or 622 grams. The diameter is 74 millimetres (3 in) with a thickness of 8.3 millimetres (0.3 in). At the time of issue in October 2009, the material value was around 14,000 euros. Due to the limited minting, the coin was sold at a premium of approximately 10% above the gold price. The total circulation of these coins was 6,027 (providing 2,009 coins in each of the European, American and Japanese markets), which were sold in velvet-lined wooden cases with certificates.[15]
| Year | 1⁄25 ozt[16] | 1⁄10 ozt[17] | 1⁄4 ozt[18] | 1⁄2 ozt[19] | 1 ozt[4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | — | — | 272,000 | — | 351,000 |
| 1990 | — | — | 162,000 | — | 484,500 |
| 1991 | — | 82,500 | 146,000 | — | 233,500 |
| 1992 | — | 99,000 | 176,000 | — | 537,000 |
| 1993 | — | 99,500 | 126,000 | — | 234,000 |
| 1994 | — | 112,000 | 121,200 | 94,700 | 218,600 |
| 1995 | — | 151,100 | 156,000 | 57,400 | 645,500 |
| 1996 | — | 128,300 | 139,200 | 88,000 | 377,600 |
| 1997 | — | 115,300 | 100,700 | 68,200 | 408,300 |
| 1998 | — | 102,800 | 90,800 | 47,300 | 330,300 |
| 1999 | — | 145,000 | 81,600 | 44,200 | 230,700 |
| 2000 | — | 32,600 | 25,900 | 20,500 | 245,700 |
| 2001 | — | 26,400 | 25,800 | 26,800 | 54,700 |
| 2002 | — | 75,789 | 40,807 | 40,922 | 164,105 |
| 2003 | — | 59,654 | 34,019 | 26,848 | 179,881 |
| 2004 | — | 67,994 | 32,449 | 24,269 | 176,319 |
| 2005 | — | 62,071 | 32,817 | 21,049 | 158,564 |
| 2006 | — | 39,892 | 29,609 | 20,085 | 82,174 |
| 2007 | — | 76,325 | 34,631 | 25,091 | 108,675 |
| 2008 | — | 176,682 | 97,090 | 73,778 | 715,842 |
| 2009 | — | 437,706 | 171,992 | 92,249 | 903,047 |
| 2010 | — | 226,685 | 84,968 | 56,607 | 501,951 |
| 2011 | — | 272,227 | 102,026 | 73,488 | 586,686 |
| 2012 | — | 176,262 | 64,314 | 49,483 | 341,411 |
| 2013 | — | 193,115 | 77,219 | 69,573 | 579,223 |
| 2014 | 78,551 | 147,461 | 68,440 | 57,816 | 418,919 |
| 2015 | 88,157 | 263,439 | 112,228 | 101,500 | 647,100 |
| 2016 | 67,91 | 181,536 | 91,809 | 78,460 | 451,007 |
| 2017 | 40,186 | 131,815 | 65,086 | 52,281 | 355,436 |
| 2018 | 44,637 | 116,932 | 46,080 | 44,750 | 318,334 |
| 2019 | 44,023 | 100,697 | 56,199 | 40,890 | 164,312 |
| 2020 | 119,230 | 329,377 | 155,908 | 112,430 | 706,626 |
| Year | 1⁄25 ozt[20] | 1 ozt[21] |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | — | 35,257 |
| 2017 | 4,100 | 15,354 |
| 2018 | 2,814 | 13,753 |
| 2019 | 2,034 | 17,798 |
| 2020 | 4,913 | 40,891 |
| Year | 1 ozt[6] |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 7,773,000 |
| 2009 | 9,014,800 |
| 2010 | 11,358,200 |
| 2011 | 17,873,700 |
| 2012 | 8,769,200 |
| 2013 | 14,536,400 |
| 2014 | 4,643,508 |
| 2015 | 7,298,593 |
| 2016 | 3,448,390 |
| 2017 | 2,064,804 |
| 2018 | 2,101,592 |
| 2019 | 2,904,983 |
| 2020 | 7,193,117 |
The Gold Maple Leaf sales took first place at 1,140,000 oz while the Gold Eagle came in second at 856,500 oz, followed by an estimated 750,000 oz of South African Krugerrands, 544,000 oz of Gold Philharmonics, and 460,082 Gold Pandas.
The United States, Canadian and Austrian Mints, which between them produce three of the world's top five bullion investment coins, all reported lower sales in the first quarter of 2012 versus a year ago.
The Austrian Mint has issued a new platinum Vienna Philharmonic coin as the latest addition to its internationally renowned coin range. Unveiled at the Berlin Coin Fair, the coin marks the Austrian Mint's first platinum offering.
