Austrian Silver Philharmonic Coins
Silver Philharmonics - Europe's highest minted silver bullion coins
The Austrian Silver Philharmonic coins are sometimes also referred to as Vienna Philharmonic silver coins because they display a pipe organ from the concert hall of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Wiener Philharmoniker). In fact, the coins have the same design as the best-selling Austrian Gold Philharmonic coins. The Austrian Mint produces the popular silver coins since 2008, albeit only in the 1 oz denomination. The coins out of 99.9% fine silver sell very well worldwide, so it aren't only European investors that buy silver in the form of these coins. Already during the first five years from 2008 to 2012, more than 54 million units found a buyer.
The government-backed Silver Philharmonics are legal tender in Austria with a face value of 1.5 Euros. Only brilliant uncirculated coins are issued. Silver Philharmonic coins can be purchased individually, in plastic tubes containing 20 coins and in mint boxes of 500 coins. American buyers that are investing in silver 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 | 1.50 Euro | 99.9% | 37 x 3.2 mm |
Silver Philharmonic Coin Design
The Austrian Philharmonic silver coins are identical in design to the gold version. Thomas Pesendorfer, the chief engraver of the Austrian Mint, created the design that is displayed on all versions of the Austrian Philharmonic coins. The obverse shows an arrangement of classical music instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, including a horn, harp, cello and four violins. The German name "Wiener Philharmoniker" of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra appears on top with the German word for silver ("Silber") in smaller letters underneath. Due to its music-themed design, this best-selling silver bullion coin is sometimes also referred to as Vienna Philharmonic silver coin.
The Great Organ that is located in the Viennese Concert Hall (the home venue of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) is featured on the reverse side of each Austrian Philharmonic silver coin. "Republik Österreich" - Austrian Republic - is engraved above it and the coin's year of mintage, face value and actual silver weight appear below.
History of the Silver Philharmonic Coins
Inspired by the continuing success of the Gold Philharmonics, the Austrian Mint first issued the Austrian Silver Philharmonics on the 1st of February 2008. The coins are only available in the denomination of 1 oz. Nevertheless, more than 54 million sold coins between 2008 and 2012 alone attest to the fact that the Silver Philharmonic quickly became Europe's best-selling silver bullion coin.
Mintage Numbers
Mintage of the 1 oz Austrian Silver Philharmonic coin started in 2008. Only brilliant uncirculated coins are minted and annual production peaked in 2011 with 17,873,700 coins. Annual mintage numbers have been declining sharply since 2016 and the currently lowest annual mintage of 2,064,804 coins was set the following year. The Silver Philharmonic coin has a low numismatic (collectible) value because of these high production numbers and is therefore mainly bought by investors. The Austrian Silver Philharmonic is generally available for lower premiums over the spot price of silver than other silver bullion 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 Platinum Philharmonics
The Austrian Mint started issuing Platinum Philharmonic coins in 2016. Only 1 oz coins were minted that inaugural year. The coins with a face value of 100 Euros are identical in size (37 mm diameter) to the gold and silver 1 oz coins. Fractional 1/25 oz coins are minted since 2017. Both coin denominations are only available with a brilliant uncirculated finish. The coins out of 99.95% pure platinum are identical in design to the gold and silver versions of the Philharmonic coins. The name and design of the Austrian Platinum Philharmonics was chosen as a tribute to the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The obverse side of the coins shows an arrangement of classical music instruments and the Great Organ that is located in the Viennese Concert Hall appears on the reverse.
The Austrian Platinum Philharmonic page gives more information about the coins and allows you to compare current prices.
Austrian Philharmonic Silver Coin Sets
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.