Looking through Austria's various and voluminous historical archives to find a subject worthy of being featured on a 1985 commemorative coin, the Austrian Mint's research department learned that Bregenz would reach its 2000th year of existance in 1985. What a discovery! How did the mint properly honor the 2000th Anniversary event? Determined to create a unique coin meritorious of the occasion, the powers that be decided to place a facsimile of a coin's obverse that circulated during 15 BC, the year of Bergenz' birth, upon the 1985 commemorative's reverse. The 2000th Anniversary coin was to be composed of silver weighing in at 0.7137 ounces ASW, measure 37mm and carry a denomination of 500 Schilling. As more research data was deciphered, a decision was made to have the 1985 commemorative, honoring Bregenz, bear a facsimile on the reverse of a second coin. I couldn't locate a photo of the 1985 500 Schilling, but found a website with a webpage fearuring the two designers of the coin; Edwin Grienauer (obverse) and Kurt Bodlak (reverse). The mint struck 387,000 business strikes and 112,200 proofs. Here's a link to that webpage courtesy of the Austrian Mint (austrian-mint.at) http://www.austrian-mint.at/silbermuenzen?l=en&muenzeSubTypeId=83&muenzeId=366 I couldn't find photos of the actual coins featured on the coin's reverse, but did uncover some data related to the two coins. Historical records show that early settlers inhabited the region circa 1500 BC. The Celtic tribe of Brigantes occupied the area and named it Brigantion and changed the settlement's upper town area into one of the strongest armed fortresses of the Celts. In order to expand the Roman Empire in 15 BC, Tiberius’ legions occupied the Celtic fortress and made it into a Roman camp they called Brigantium. This is why the obverse of the coin on the left became a part of the commemorative coin's reverse. That's Tiberius on the bronze coin. Brigantium was said to be bigger than present day Vorarlberg County. However, during the Germanic migrations in 6th century AD, Brigantium was destroyed by the Alemans who settled in the area as well, thus making it the only region in Austria today with an Alemannic population. By 500 AD, the Ulrichs governed Vorarlberg County and became the ruling dynasty. They often called themselves the Counts of Bregenz. However, the house died out in 1150. In 1206, the county’s rule was passed on to the Counts of Montfort. The Montforts were successful in gradually expanding Bregenz’s territory by acquiring the surrounding counties including Feldkirch and Bludenz. Unfortunately, the expanded Bregenz was sold in small ecrements to the Counts of Tirol or the Habsburgs (Feldkirch in 1375, Bludenz and Montafon valley in 1394, half of Bregenz in 1451 and the last half in 1523. That brings us to that second coin on the commemorative's reverse. Bregenz (Bregenc), in 1533, became a Civitis (community, city or state of citizens) and minted its own coins. The coin on the right bears the reverse of Bregenz' own first coin. Hope you enjoyed this article... Clinker
Ah, let me help out with an image. Except it's not actually mine. http://www.austriancoins.com/images/19452005/Schillings/500Schillings/Austrian500_0017.jpg The round object on the left (of the reverse) is, as you wrote, a Roman denarius depicting Tiberius. The other one is not actually a coin but the city's seal from 1533, with the text SIGILLVM CIVITATIS BRIGANCII, ie. Seal of the City of Bregenz. But it may have showed up on coins of course ... Christian
Another excellent, informative Clinker contribution. Admire the research involved, the wright-up and appreciate the history lesson. Again, Chrislid's knowledge adds richness to the lesson. You great guys work well together. Keep the lessons [trivia?] coming. A day without you guys is like a day without sunshine. Good on both of you!
