Austrian Platinum Philharmonics
Platinum Philharmonic coins - the newest addition to the popular coin series
The Austrian Platinum Philharmonics are one of the most recently added options for precious metal investors that are looking to buy platinum coins. It was only in 2016 that the Austrian Mint added the coins to its popular series of Austrian Philharmonic coins. The platinum version of the coins displays the same design as the best-selling Austrian Gold Philharmonics and Austrian Silver Philharmonics that were respectively first issued in 1989 and 2008. The name of the Platinum Philharmonic coins is derived from the design of their reverse side. It shows a pipe organ from the concert hall of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Wiener Philharmoniker).
The Austrian Platinum Philharmonic coins are minted out of 99.95% pure platinum. Only one denomination of 1 oz was offered at first but fractional 1/25 oz coins were then added by the Austrian Mint in 2017. The coins are minted with a brilliant uncirculated finish and can be purchased individually, in tubes of 10 coins and in mint-sealed boxes of 500 coins. Each Austrian Platinum Philharmonic coin has legal tender status in Austria. The purity and weight of the Platinum Philharmonics is guaranteed by the Austrian government. American buyers that are investing in platinum for their retirement can include the coins in their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA's).
Coin Specifications
| Weight | Face Value | Purity | Diameter x Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 100 Euro | 99.95% | 37 x 1.35 mm |
| 1/25 oz | 4 Euro | 99.95% | 13 x 1 mm |
Platinum Philharmonic Coin Design
The Vienna Philharmonic platinum coin is identical in design to the gold and silver version. The chief engraver of the Austrian Mint Thomas Pesendorfer created the design that is displayed on all versions of the coins. A selection of classical music instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, including a horn, harp, cello and four violins, are shown on the obverse side of each Platinum Vienna Philharmonic coin. The German name "Wiener Philharmoniker" of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is engraved with big letters above the arrangement with the German word for platinum ("Platin") in smaller size underneath.
The reverse side of the Platinum Vienna Philharmonic shows the Great Organ that is located in the Viennese Concert Hall. That is where the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs its concerts. The words "Republik Österreich" - Austrian Republic - are engraved above the organ and the coin's year of mintage, face value, platinum weight and purity appear below.
History of the Platinum Philharmonic
Whereas the Austrian Mint already sold the Gold and Silver Philharmonic successfully for decades, the Platinum Philharmonic was only introduced to the market in 2016. For the first year, investors could only buy the Platinum Philharmonic coin in the single denomination of 1 oz. In 2017, the Austrian Mint then decided to expand the series further by adding fractional 1/25 oz Platinum Philharmonic coins to the lineup. Investors have the choice to buy the Austrian Philharmonic platinum coin individually, in tubes of 10 coins or in mint-sealed boxes of 500 coins.
Mintage Numbers
Mintage of the 1 oz Austrian Platinum Philharmonic was highest in the inaugural year 2016 with 35,257 minted coins. For the 1/25 oz coins that were introduced the following year, mintage was also highest that first year with 4,100 minted coins.
Austrian Gold Philharmonics
The Austrian Mint started with the production of the Austrian Gold Philharmonic coins in 1989. The Gold Philharmonics have since then become Europe's best-selling gold coins and even the world's best-selling gold coins in certain years. The coins that are sometimes also referred to as Vienna Philharmonic gold coins are available in the five denominations of 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz and 1/25 oz. Both brilliant uncirculated and proof coins are offered. The 99.99% pure coins count among the highest-purity gold bullion coins on the market. The name and design of the coins was chosen as a tribute to the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Austrian Gold Philharmonic page gives more information about the coins and allows you to compare current prices.
Austrian Silver Philharmonics
The Austrian Mint introduced the 1 oz Silver Philharmonics in 2008. The coins are struck out of 99.9% pure silver and have a face value of 1.50 Euros. Their diameter is identical to the Gold Philharmonic coins but they are a little thicker (3.2 mm). The design of the Austrian Silver Philharmonic coins is also identical to that of the gold coins. The silver coins have a smooth edge though. More than 54 million pieces of this silver bullion coin were sold between 2008 and 2012. The coins are sometimes also referred to as the Vienna Philharmonic silver coins because their name and design was chosen as a tribute to the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Austrian Silver Philharmonic page gives more information about the coins and allows you to compare current prices.
Sets of the Austrian Philharmonic Coins
3x1 oz Philharmonic Set 2016
total gold weight: 1 oz
total silver weight: 1 oz
total platinum weight: 1 oz
The set consists of all three 1 oz Austrian Philharmonic coins. Whereas the 1 oz gold (since 1989) and silver coins (since 2008) already existed for years, the platinum coin was minted for the first time in 2016.