Austrian Philharmonics

The Austrian Philharmonic Series is one of Europe’s most popular bullion coins. The collection has been available to investors since 1989 and has garnered popularity, in part, thanks to its beautiful designs that have remained unchanged since the program’s debut. As of 2016, the Austrian Philharmonic comes with gold, silver, and platinum coin options for investors. Learn more about Austrian Philharmonics as you shop this JM Bullion sale!

History of the Series

Austrian Philharmonics debuted in 1989 with a 1 oz and 1/4 oz gold coin available. Over time, the Austrian Mint introduced further gold options with a 1/10 oz coin (1991), a 1/2 oz coin (1994), and a 1/25 oz coin (2014). A 1 oz silver coin debuted in 2008, followed by a 1 oz platinum coin in 2016.

Originally, the Gold Philharmonics had a face value in Austrian Schillings, but with the adoption of the Euro in 2002, the Austrian Mint changed the denomination on Austrian Philharmonics to Euros. Though the coins remain legal tender in Austria, the face value in Euros is not legal tender in any other Eurozone nation.

Inspiration for the Designs

The obverse and reverse of the Austrian Philharmonic Coins offer an homage to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. On the obverse, each coin features a view of the pipe organ inside the Golden Hall at the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria. The reverse features an arrangement of musical instruments representative of the musicians within the orchestra.

The Vienna Philharmonic has a long-standing tradition of performing organ works, particularly those composed by Austrian and German composers. While the orchestra itself doesn’t have a dedicated organist, it often collaborates with renowned guest organists for performances requiring the instrument. This practice has allowed the orchestra to present a wide range of repertoire featuring the organ, from Bach’s organ concertos to symphonies with prominent organ parts by composers like Saint-Saëns and Mahler.

The Musikverein’s Great Hall features a magnificent pipe organ that contributes significantly to the venue’s versatility and acoustic richness. The original organ was built in 1872 by Friedrich Ladegast and underwent several renovations and expansions over the years. In 2011, a new organ was installed by the Austrian firm Rieger Orgelbau. This impressive instrument boasts 6,138 pipes, 81 stops, and 4 manuals, making it one of the largest concert hall organs in Austria.

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