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Austrian Euro Coins

Austrian euro coins have a unique design for each denomination, with a common theme for each of the three series of coins. The minor coins feature Austrian flowers, the middle coins examples of architecture from Austria's capital, Vienna, and the two major coins famous Austrians. All designs are by the hand of Josef Kaiser and also include the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint.

Austrian euro design



For images of the common side and a detailed description of the coins, see euro coins.



Future changes to the national side of circulation coins



"The national sides of all denominations of the euro circulation coins should bear an indication of the issuing Member State by means of the Member State’s name or an abbreviation of it.

"The national side should not repeat any indication on the denomination, or any parts thereof, of the coin neither should it repeat the name of the single currency or of its subdivision, unless such indication stems from the use of a different alphabet.

"This Recommendation should apply to national sides and edge letterings of both normal and commemorative euro circulation coins. It should not apply to the national sides and edge letterings of both normal and commemorative euro circulation coins which have been first issued prior to the adoption of this Recommendation."

The above paragraphs, in essence, requires 5 of the Eurozone members to change their national designs. Finland was the first state when they changed its design in 2007, Belgium did so in 2008 while Austria will not change its current design for the time being.

Circulating Mintage quantities



The following table shows the mintage quantity for all Austrian euro coins, per denomination, per year (the numbers are represented in millions).



Austrian proof set




Each year the Austrian Mint issues a limited edition of its Euro coins in proof quality.

Image:Austria BE set.JPG|How the set looks. (2005)


€2 commemorative coins





Image:€2 commemorative coin Austria 2005.jpg|50th Anniversary of the Austrian State Treaty (2005)
Image:€2_Commemorative_Coin_Austria_2007_TOR.png|50th Anniversary of the Signature of the Treaty of Rome (2007)


Other commemorative coins (Collector's coins)





Austria has a large collection of euro commemorative coins, mainly in Silver and Gold, but they also use other materials (like Niobium for example). Their face value range from 5 euro to 100 euro. This is mainly done as a legacy of old national practice of minting Gold and Silver coins. These coins are not really intended to be used as means of payment, so generally they do not circulate. Here you can find some samples:

Image:2006 Austria 50 Euro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart front.jpg|Gold, 50 euro, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (2006)
Image:2006 Austria 25 Euro European Satellite Navigation front.jpg|Silver and Niobium, 25 euro, European Satellite Navigation (2006)
Image:2006 Austria 20 Euro The Austrian Merchant Navy back.jpg|Silver, 20 euro, The Austrian Merchant Navy (2006)



Source: Wikipedia