Vienna Philharmonic (coin)

The Vienna Philharmonic (German: Wiener Philharmoniker), often shortened to Philharmonic, is a bullion coin of gold, silver, or platinum produced by the Austrian Mint (Münze Österreich). The coin is named for the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra, which inspired the design of both sides. It was introduced in 1989, as a one-troy ounce (ozt) gold coin with a face 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-ounce platinum 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 a fineness of 999.9 (often written 0.9999, also known as 24 karat or 99.99% pure).^[4] In most countries in Europe, the gold Philharmonic is traded VAT-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 Vienna Musikverein's Golden Hall. The reverse of the coin shows instruments of the Vienna Philharmonic, including Vienna 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 the Austrian 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 the euro, 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 only legal 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]

بمناسبة الذكرى الخامسة والعشرين لإصدار عملة فيينا الفيلهارمونية الذهبية، طرحت دار سك العملة عملة بوزن 1/25 أونصة تحمل التصميم نفسه، ولكن بقيمة اسمية قدرها 4 يورو. كما تم إنتاج 5000 مجموعة تذكارية من عملات الأونصة الواحدة وربع الأونصة. ^{[ 9 ]} ولا يزال إنتاج عملة 1/25 أونصة مستمراً .

صُمم هذا التصميم في الأصل من قِبل توماس بيسندورفر لاستخدامه في عملة فيينا الذهبية الخاصة بأوركسترا فيينا الفيلهارمونية، والتي صدرت لأول مرة عام 1989. ^{[ 10 ]} أصدرت دار سك العملة النمساوية النسخة الفضية من العملة عام 2008. بقي التصميم دون تغيير، ولم يتغير منذ ذلك الحين. ^{[ 11 ]}

يُظهر وجه العملة غلافًا مزخرفًا لآلة الأرغن الأنبوبية من القاعة الذهبية في قاعة الموسيقى (Musikverein )، وهي قاعة الحفلات الموسيقية في فيينا حيث تعزف الأوركسترا التي تحمل الاسم نفسه . كما نُقشت على الوجه العبارة الألمانية " REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH " (جمهورية النمسا)، واسم العمل، ووزنه. ^{[ 4 ]} أما ظهر العملة فيُظهر مجموعة من الآلات الموسيقية، بما في ذلك: القيثارة، والكمان، والتشيلو، والفاجوت ، وبوق فيينا . كما نُقشت عبارة " WIENER PHILHARMONIKER " (أوركسترا فيينا الفيلهارمونية)، بالإضافة إلى كلمة " SILBER " (فضة) أو " PLATIN " (بلاتين) على العملات المعدنية المعنية. ^{[ 4 ]}

مواصفات أوركسترا غولد فيلهارمونيك:

مواصفات أوركسترا سيلفر فيلهارمونيك:

مواصفات أوركسترا بلاتينيوم فيلهارمونيك:

• Bullion
• Bullion coin
• Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Austria)
• Gold as an investment
• Inflation hedge
• Platinum as an investment
• Silver as an investment

• أوركسترا فيينا الفيلهارمونية على الموقع الرسمي لدار سك العملة النمساوية