The Vienna Philharmonic silver is the one of the top-selling silver coins worldwide. This coin is struck in .999 pure silver. It was created through a painstaking and demanding minting process. This makes the Austrian silver coin a stunning example of the exquisite precision and artistry that has made this coin so highly prized. The Vienna Philharmonic is one of the world’s most acclaimed orchestra and this coin was designed to honor it. The Vienna Philharmonic inception dates back to 1842 and can be tied to the national identity of Austria. The obverse depicts in amazing detail, the great organ in Vienna's Musikverein Concert Hall, the home of the Vienna Philharmonic. The face value, year of mintage, purity (.999), and weight are all imprinted on the face. The reverse features an array of instruments used by the great philharmonic orchestra, including violins, violas, a cello, harp, bassoon and Viennese horn. The Austrian mint which was first established in the year 1194 is where these coins are produced. History of Vienna philharmonic The orchestra can trace its origins to 1842, when Otto Nicolai formed the Philharmonische Academie; which was a fully independent orchestra and which took all its decisions by a democratic vote of all its members. These are principles the orchestra still holds today. The members of the orchestra are chosen from the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera. This process is a long one, with each musician having to prove his or her capability for a minimum of three years' playing for the Opera and Ballet. Once this is achieved the musician can then ask the Board of the Wiener Philharmoniker to consider an application for a position in the Vienna Philharmonic.
The design of this coin has always appealed to me. On another thread we were asked to vote for the most interesting bullion design. I voted the Philharmonic as my first choice. It is so symbolic of the country of origin, and if I am not mistaken, it's an original design for their bullion coins. I have several pieces in my collection. The only negative thing is it's harder to find them blemish free like other bullion pieces. I find spotting to be a common problem but worth the search.
They are nice, the majority of my bullion coins are Mexican Onza's, Then ASE and last the Philharmonic's.
Yes, that design was first picked for their 1 oz gold coin in 1989. Later other pieces (half ounce etc.) were added to the range of products, and since 2008 there has been a 1 oz silver piece too. All with the same design - the organ in the Musikverein house in Vienna http://www.musikverein.at/imgGallery/GS_oben_5.jpg and, on the other side, various musical instruments. Christian
