The cover of the Official Austrian Euro Coin Set 2018 in Special Uncirculated quality celebrates the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Austria. All eight Special Uncirculated quality coins in the set are designed to meet the most exacting standards. As a ‘first strike’ – an early strike in a series struck from a new die – immediately after minting, each coin is quality checked and packed with care to ensure that every single one is an unblemished masterpiece. Native flowers, iconic buildings and illustrious Austrians grace each of the eight coins. Ideal as a gift, a lasting memento or a fitting souvenir of Austria, this complete euro coin set comprises each of the euro and cent coins in circulation.
Celebrating a century of democracy
With the end of the First World War came the end of a political system that had lasted for many centuries: the founding of the Austrian Republic on 12 November 1918 marked the end of the Habsburg Monarchy and the beginning of a new epoch. To celebrate this momentous occasion, a 2 euro coin featuring the statue of Pallas Athena, which stands proudly in front of the Parliament building in Vienna, has been issued. The Greek goddess of wisdom watches over the country and by looking up to her, Austrian citizens honour the spirit in which their Republic was founded. The centenary of the Republic is an occasion for all Austrians to value freedom and democracy as precious commodities that should not be taken for granted and to understand that by learning from history they can shape the present and have the courage to face the future.
2 Euro – Centenary of the Founding of the Republic of Austria
In its brass core, the coin shows a detail of the statue of Pallas Athena that stands in front of the neoclassical Parliament building in Vienna. The goddess of wisdom wears an Attic helmet decorated with a sphinx. Both the Parliament (completed in 1883) and the Pallas Athena fountain (1902) were based on designs by Theophil von Hansen. Pallas Athena serves as a symbol of Austrian parliamentarianism and signifies knowledge, reason and strategic ability.
1 Euro
Born in Salzburg, Austria’s most famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will forever be remembered for his dominance of Viennese classical music during his short life.
50 Cent
The jewel in the Viennese Modernist crown, the Secession exhibition hall still exudes modernity more than a century after it was built.
20 Cent
A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, the Belvedere was once the palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Today it is home to some of the world’s most famous paintings, including The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.
10 Cent
Construction began on Vienna’s gothic St Stephen's cathedral over 800 years ago. Its roof and tower, which feature on the 10 cent coin, still dominate the Vienna skyline today.
5 Cent
The three smallest coins in the collection are all decorated with alpine flowers. The 5 cent piece with primula auricula, the mountain cowslip.
2 Cent
Made world famous by the song from the musical The Sound of Music, the edelweiss adorns the 2 cent coin.
1 Cent
The smallest coin in circulation rounds of the 2018 coin set’s trio of alpine flower with a gentian.
| Product No. | 21799 |
| Date of Issue | 5 December 2017 |
| Quality | Special Uncirculated |
| Occasion | New Year, Birth |
| Packaging | Comes in a blister pack featuring information in German and English |
| Mintage (Special Uncirculated) | 50,000 |
