Austrian Mint Issue First of their 2013 Releases - The 5 Euro Viennese Waltz!

December 12, 2012 – The Austrian Mint will issue today a 5 euro silver coin celebrating one of the best-known dances of all time, the Waltz.
Austria 2013 5€ Viennese Waltz Silver BU The reverse of the coin depicts a delightful couple in full swing, dancing the graceful waltz. Dressed in elegant full ballroom dress, the lady’s full skirt and scarf-trimmed arms emphasize the swish of their move to the music. Perfectly in step with her, the gentleman is shown in full tux and tails with the swing of the tails also highlighting their movement. It is easy to imagine being there in person as the couple gracefully waltzes by in three quarter time. In the background are the twinkling stars and fireworks, all adding to the festive atmosphere of a waltz. Also on this side of the coin are the words “Wiener Walzer”, or “Viennese Waltz” engraved into the design in a lyrical style. This side of the coin was designed and engraved by the Mint’s chief engraver Thomas Pesendorfer.

The obverse of the nine-sided coin is the standard 5-euro design, with the denomination encircled by the shields of the nine federal provinces of Austria. In the center is the face value of 5 euros. Mint engraver Helmut Andexlinger designed the obverse.

Early mentions of dance movements relating to the waltz date back as far as the 16th century. But it was not until the late 17th century in the imperial court of Vienna that an early form of the waltz really took hold. Starting out as a simple 2 beat step it evolved into the more complicated but very graceful ¾ time. In the 18th century in southern Germany and Tyrol the less graceful but probably more fun dance called the Laendler that swooped couples around the dance floor was very popular. In the late 18th century the two forms of dance merged and the nobles dropped the more sedate minuet in favour of the early form of the waltz. The stately imperial court succumbed to the scandalous requirement of the closed position with your partner in order to waltz together, which was simply not done during a dance in earlier years. The Viennese Waltz, with its light and fast in style, made it more fun to participate in a stately and reserved environments, helping to spread its popularity in the late 18th century all over Europe. Huge dance halls that could hold thousands of dancers at a time were constructed and some social commentators even consider the Viennese Waltz to be the most important ever development in the history of dancing. Thanks to the recent renaissance in ballroom dancing around the globe, though more than 200 years old, the dance is still very much alive and well today.

Austria is of course also famous for Johann Strauss known as the “Waltz King.” He composed several hundred waltzes at a time when the waltz was very popular. Most famous is probably the Blue Danube Waltz, known the world-over as the encore finale performed every New Year’s eve during the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve worldwide concert. Within Austria this waltz is played at the stroke of midnight on radio stations and television channels to ring in the New Year. In some ways it has become Austria’s unofficial national anthem.

The 5 euro silver coin has a diameter of 28.5 mm, contains 8 grams of fine silver, a total weight of 10 grams and has a fineness of 800. The coin is available only in special uncirculated quality and will have a maximum mintage of 50,000. Of this total mintage, and for the first time ever, 5,000 coins will be available in an English-only package. The remaining 45,000 will be available in a German-only folder. Each of these coins is vacuum-packed in a colorful, informative and winter-themed blister pack.

Austrian Mint Release Their Coin Program For 2013!

We are pleased to announce that the Austrian Mint has released their official coin program for 2013! Please see the information about the program below as supplied by the Austrian Mint. Euro Collections Internation, as official distributor for the Austrian Mint, is very excited about the coins on offer next year and we look forward to offering them to you.

From The Austrian Mint:

Our new programme traditionally gets underway with a 5 euro New Year coin. Celebrating the Viennese Waltz, the 2013 coin will be issued on 12 December 2012, together with the 2013 Euro Coin Set and the 2013 Baby Euro Coin Set – both in Special Uncirculated quality.

The first piece actually issued in 2013 will be the 25 euro silver niobium coin. The subject of the coin is Tunnelling, which is illustrated in brilliant ice blue niobium.

The programme continues in February in the shape of the The Expectation, the second edition of our Klimt and his Women 50 euro gold coin series, which features a scene from the famous Stoclet Frieze.

The theme of the 2013 European Silver programme is European Writers. Available from March, the Austrian 20 euro silver coin celebrates the great writer Stefan Zweig and his famous Chess Story.

A brand new series awaits us in April. Entitled Prehistoric Life, the five-coin series, which continues until 2015, will bring to life the ancient landmass that once made up modern-day Austria. Each coin will be inspired by a geological period and its typical life forms, such as Trias depicting life in the water in April, and Jura depicting life in the air in September.

Also dedicated to water, a 5 euro coin will be issued in June celebrating Austria as a Land of Water, in conjunction with the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation and the International Decade for Action, “Water - Source of Life”.

Our 10 euro Federal Provinces series continues with a Lower Austria coin in May and a Vorarlberg coin in October; the former is the country’s largest province, the latter its most westerly. Our Proof quality Euro Coin Set is also on our schedule in October.

The first coin in our new five-part Austrian Wildlife series of 100 euro gold coins, which pays homage to Austria’s native flora and fauna, marks the end of our 2013 programme.

As you can see 2013 is going to be an exciting year at the mint and for collectors. Stay tuned to ECI through our Facebook page, Twitter or here at Numismatters for up-to-date information as each new coin is released!

Austrian Mint Release Second Silver Coin in "Austria By Its Children" Series!

The Austrian Mint has issued the second coin in the delightful silver coin series, “Austria by Its Children.” This coin series continues to celebrate what Austrian children are excited by, and proud to speak about, when they speak of their home. The other side of the coin features a UNESCO world heritage site located in the home province of the child from which the design was selected. The series will feature all 9 provinces and a tenth coin as the finale, which will celebrate Austria as a nation.


Austria 2012 10€ Carinthia Silver Coin

This second coin of the series honours the southern province of Carinthia and bears the winning design by ten year old Philip Ogris on its reverse. Philip included many of the well-known sites of Carinthia. In the foreground is the lovely and popular summer destination, the Woerthersee. Sailboats and fish are floating in the clear green/blue waters of the lake. The lake is correctly depicted south of the snow-covered Alps, more specifically the mountain of Grossglockner, with a brilliant sun shining in the background, which brings to this area some of the warmest and sunniest weather in Austria and warms the waters of the lake. Between the lake and the Alps the ever popular Lindworm of Klagenfurt is depicted. A luscious forest and striking ibexes stand proudly on the mountainside. Carinthia shares it southern border with the country of Slovenia and thus many of its citizens speak Slovenian as well as German. Because of this Philip decided to include the name of the province in both the German and Slovenian languages along the bottom inside edge of the coin’s design.

The obverse features Carinthia's cultural heritage of falconry. This side of the coin was designed and engraved by the mint’s chief engraver Thomas Pesendorfer. Thomas depicted the falconer wearing the very thick leather falconer’s glove, raising his hand as the flacon takes off for full flight. The outfit worn by the falconer is a blend of traditional and contemporary falconry clothing. In the background are the ruins of the castle of Landskron located north-east of the city of Villach in Carinthia. Even today regular falconry events occur on the castle grounds. The castle has been known in a variety of forms since 1351.

Also located on this obverse side of each coin is the country of issue, “Republik Oesterreich” Republic of Austria, the year of issue 2012, the face value of 10 euros and the German word for Falconry, “Falknerei”. This commemorative coin is legal tender in Austria.

Philip Ogris design was selected from about 1,200 designs submitted by 9 and 10 year old children living in the province of Carinthia. The selection committee reviewing all the anonymous submissions included officials and coin experts from Carinthia. They particularly liked the ibexes and all the layers of the province so delightfully depicted, as well as the inclusion of the second language of the area.

The castle of Landskron is one of the most spectacular sites of Austria with breath-taking views for miles and miles around. The castle is easily accessed by car and is located in a popular hiking region.

The silver Carinthia coin will be available in two finishes, Proof and Uncirculated, with a maximum mintage of 30,000 and 40,000 respectively. The proof coins come encapsulated in a presentation case with a numbered certificate of authenticity. The certificate includes all the technical details as well as background information about the series. The special uncirculated coins are available in a blister pack with an impressive Carinthia design on the sleeve.

The coin will also be available in Austria only in the regular circulation finish and struck in copper. The copper coins have a rilled edge whereas the silver coins have a smooth edge.

For the BU series there is a frosted plastic box bearing the series logo. The proof case is made from a heavy card stock and includes a small booklet detailing the whole series.

Downies ECI Doing Their Part For The Conservation of Tasmanian Devil

To a lot of people outside of Australia, particularly in the US, the name "Tasmanian Devil" most likely conjeurs up images of the Bugs Bunny Show, where a cartoon tornado would whirl into view and out would pop a growling, snarling, crazy beast! The real-life Tasmanian Devil is native to the island of Tasmania off the Australian South-East coast. Like it's cartoon cousin it also has a reputation for being snarly and cantankerous (although this is more myth than anything else and Devils will sooner flee than attack humans), but due to a rare form of facial tumour that is contagious amongst the Devil population, this small but fearsome native animal is quickly becoming endangered.

First seen in 1996, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) has ravaged Tasmania's wild devils, and estimates of the impact range from 20% to as much as a 50% decline in the devil population, with over 65% of the state affected. The disease is an example of a transmissible cancer, which means that it is contagious and passed from one animal to another.

The Devils @ Cradle Tasmanian devil Sanctuary focuses on Tasmania's three carnivorous marsupials, concentrating primarily on the Tasmanian devil but including both the Eastern and Spotted - tail Quoll. The Devils @ Cradle Sanctuary breeding program is vital to the long term conservation of the Tasmanian Devil which is now threatened by Facial Tumour Disease. This allows for sustainable breeding with the intention of release into the wild. For further information, see www.devils@cradle.com.

Downies/ECI is the proud sponsor of "Mortimer", a young Tasmanian Devil at the Devils @ Cradle Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary. We encourgage our valued clients to visit the Devils @ Cradle Sanctuary website and take part in this worthwhile conservation program.

Perth Mint Unveil Their September New Releases!

September 4, 2012 - The Perth Mint has released a stunning array of new issues to excited collectors this month. At the top of everyone's wish list are the 2013 Lunar Snake Silver & Gold coins - the silver of which sold out at ECI within 10 minutes! Below is a showcase of some of the other amazing products on offer this month.


Australia 2012 $1 High Relief Koala 1oz Silver Proof

A sparkling celebration of Australia's internationally renowned bush icon, and a potent illustration of the unparalleled precious metal expertise of the Perth Mint, Downies is delighted to be able to unveil Australia's very first $1 Koala High Relief Silver Proof!

A massive 50% thicker than a standard Silver Proof, with this chunky coin measuring 6mm in width, the 2012 $1 Koala High Relief 1oz Silver Proof is, like all Perth Mint High Relief coinage, most notable for the exquisite depth and detail in the designs. Struck on concave surfaces to guarantee that the most advantageous flow of the pure .999 silver is achieved by the strike of the die, the enchanting one-year-only 'sleepy koala' design looks truly amazing when crafted to this impeccable standard.

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Australia 2013 50c Birds of Australia - Black Cockatoo 1/2oz Silver Proof



A sensational start to what is sure to prove yet another major global hit for Australia's own Perth Mint, we are delighted to unveil the brand new 2013 50c Birds of Australia Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo 1/2oz Silver Proof!

Large, loud and found right across Australia, the internationally renowned Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo forms an ideal subject for the Perth Mint's wondrous full-colour minting techniques. Contrasting beautifully against the shimmering silver surface of the near crown-sized 36.60mm flan, the distinctive black and red plumage of this Australian native parrot has been perfectly recreated by the craftsmen at the Perth Mint.

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Australia 2012 $1 Young Collectors - Rhinoceros Beetle BU



Official, affordable and, with a mere 7,500 coins struck, extremely exclusive for a BU coin, this Australian legal tender release from the Perth Mint forms a fine tribute to the Rhinoceros Beetle – one of the world's great weightlifting wonders!

A must-have for any Australian coin collector, the 2012 $1 Rhinoceros Beetle Al-Br BU carries an eye-catching design upon its 30.60mm flan, with a fully struck-up appreciation of this fierce fighter set against a vivid full-colour backdrop. Presented within an official Perth Mint card, packed with illustrations and information about the Rhino Beetle, the Official Issue Price has been set at a mere A$14.95 – outstanding value-for-money for a full-colour Australian legal tender coin!

New Deadly and Dangerous Silver Coin Creeping In Soon...Here's The Teaser

As you can see by the teaser banner there is a new Deadly and Dangerous silver coin set for release on July 3rd! By the looks of it this will be another arachnid, similar to the insanely sought-after Red Back Spider. Only time will tell if it manages to create similar demand!

Euro Collections will, of course, have this coin available for order on July 3, 2012

Austrian Mint Releases Sixth and Final Coin in the "Rome on the Danube" Silver Series!

June 13, 2012 - The Austrian Mint has issued “Brigantium”, the sixth and final silver coin in the historic “Rome on the Danube” series.


Austria 2012 20€ Rome on the Danube Brigantium Silver Proof

The Roman Empire was certainly very powerful and influential in many regions of Europe; today’s Austria was no exception. Much of this was because of the interconnected complex of rivers and lakes found in this area of Europe. One of the most efficient and effective transportation networks for centuries.

The obverse of the coin, designed by Mint engraver Herbert Waehner depicts a powerful portrait of the Emperor Valentinian I looking over the harbor of Brigantium. Depicted in the foreground is the golden hand of Brigantium holding a lotus flower. In the background are some of the warehouses that were used for storage and shipbuilding as well as repairs to naval ships of the Roman Empire. This side also has along the outer edge the country of issue “Republik Oesterreich,” (Republic of Austria), the name of the emperor “Valentinian I”, as well as the 20 euro face value. The name of the settlement Brigantium and the year of issue 2012, are in the left central area of the design field.

The reverse of the coin depicts a pair of Roman fast moving war ships, or navis lusoria on Lake Constance. One of these ships is being propelled forward by a troop of Roman soldiers, while two centurions look on from a protected arch along the shore. In the background of both sides of the coin can be seen part of the Alps located just south in this region. This side of the coin was designed by mint engraver Helmut Andexlinger.

Brigantium (today known as Bregenz) was built in the twilight years of the Roman Empire on the eastern shore of Lake Constance. The port of Brigantium is a fitting subject with which to conclude the historic “Rome on the Danube” series. The naval prowess of the Romans may not be the first thing one thinks of but the Romans covered all aspects of logistics and transportation to maintain the wealth and strength of their Empire for a long time.

It was not until the second half of the fourth century that the port was constructed by Emperor Valentinian I. Valentinian was born in Croatia in AD 321 and was emperor for just over a decade until his death in AD 375, Valentinian was the last Roman emperor to engage in military campaigns across the Rhine and Danube rivers.

In order to provide protection to its borders it is believed that he built the harbor at Brigantium and equipped it with navis lusoria, or “dancing ships”, the streamlined troop carrying vessels typical of the late Roman Empire. These ships were small, fast and easy to manoeuver in the waters. The ancient harbor was only discovered and excavated some 40 years ago. The dating of the harbor was found to be back to 370 AD, the time of Valentinian.

The golden hand of Brigantium or Bregenz is the left hand of a female form. It is made of gold plated bronze. Based on this fragment the statue must have been about twice the size of a human being, in other words it is one of the colossus statues that were often located in key Roman cities.

The new silver coin has a face value of 20 euros, is struck in proof quality only and a maximum mintage of 50,000 pieces. The coins are struck in 900 fine silver and contain 18 grams of pure silver. Each coin has a diameter of 34 mm, is encapsulated and comes in box with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity. A wooden case for the whole collection of six coins, decorated on the top with a facsimile of a Roman sestertius (Germ.: Sesterz) coin with a portrait of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 A.D.) is available as well.