Ag is the chemical symbol for silver (from argentum in Latin). Au is the chemical symbol for gold (from aurum in Latin); one of the first metals ever to be processed by man.

Due to their very high fineness bullion coins are mainly used for investment purposes and are minted in unlimited quantities according to demand. Their face value guarantees that they are produced by an official state mint, but this is much lower than the value of their precious metal content, which in the case of Vienna Philharmonics is up to 999.9/1000. The value of a bullion coin depends on the daily gold, platinum or silver price as quoted on the commodity markets.

A measure of the purity of gold in 24 parts. One carat gold is 1/24 parts gold (4.166 per cent or 41.66 per thousand), while 24 carat gold is absolutely pure gold. This measure is commonly used in the jewellery industry.

The Ducat is a gold coin that was first minted in 13th-century Venice, from where it spread all over Europe, arriving in Austria at the beginning of the 16th century. Today, Ducat Restrikes are both a reliable investment and popular present.

The fineness of a coin defines its precious metal content. The Vienna Philharmonic in gold, for example, has a fineness of 999.9 and is thus made of pure gold.

Fine weight defines only the weight of a coin’s precious metal content. In addition to precious metal, a coin can also contain copper, as in the case of the Ducat. Fine weight plus the weight of a coin’s non-precious metal content combine to make its total weight.

Only bars from refiners and manufacturers that comply with the exact quality requirements of the 'Good Delivery' specifications are admitted for trading around the world. Every Austrian Mint bar carries the Austrian Mint logo, its weight designation and 999.9 refinement, while its individual serial number makes each Austrian Mint bar unique.

The Gulden is a coin originating from Germany, where it was minted from the 14th century in gold and later in silver. During the 19th century the Gulden was the official currency in Austria.

An (Troy-) ounce or fine ounce is the international standard unit of weight for precious metals and equals 31.103 grams. Gold, Platinum and silver prices are given in US dollars per fine ounce. The term originates from the Latin uncia (one twelfth of the whole). One uncial was the equivalent of one twelfth of a Roman pound.

Restrikes of historic golden Ducats, Gulden and Crowns are no longer legal tender. They are traded according to the daily gold price.