Austrian Silver Philharmonics

The Austrian Silver Philharmonic Coin, first released by the Austrian Mint in Vienna, Austria in February 2008, is Europe’s most popular silver bullion coin. The Silver Philharmonic’s 99.9% purity, attractive design, and superior quality have earned it international popularity. The Philharmonic’s purity, weight, and content are guaranteed by the Austrian Mint. With a face value of 1.5 Euro, its legal tender status is backed by both the government of Austria and the European Union.

The Silver Philharmonic’s design matches that of the Gold Philharmonic Coin. The obverse of the coin features a rendering of the great organ in the Musikverein concert hall of Vienna, home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Wiener Musikverein, usually shortened to Musikverein, is German for the Viennese Music Association. This concert hall is known as one of the finest in the world, with its high ceilings, expansive length, and narrow width contributing to its superb acoustics. Above the organ are the words, “Republik Osterreich,” the country’s official name, The Republic of Austria, in English. Beneath the depiction of the organ, the coin reads, “1 Unze Feinsilber” with the date of mintage directly below. The bottom of the coin displays its face value, reading, “1,50 Euro.” The reverse of the coin exhibits an eye-catching collection of orchestral instruments, with a Viennese horn, bassoon, and harp in the background, four cellos in the foreground, and a string bass prominently displayed in the center. The words, “Wiener Philharmoniker,” in English, Vienna Philharmonic, stretch across the top of the coin. The word, “Silber” may be read in small print directly below “Wiener Philharmoniker” and above the instruments. Engraver Thomas Pesendorfer designed the coin’s award-winning artwork. The 1 oz. Austrian Silver Philharmonic is 37 mm in diameter and 3.2 mm thick.