The cover of the Official Austrian Euro Coin Set 2024 is dedicated to the town of Bad Ischl, which is European Capital of Culture 2024 along with 22 other communities in the Salzkammergut region.
The town of Bad Ischl is the hub of the Austrian lake district – the spectacular Salzkammergut. Ischl’s popularity as a spa town began in the early-19th century and reached its peak in the decades when the Habsburg Empire was in decline. Until 1914, Ischl was the summer residence of Emperor Franz Joseph, and the nobility, upper-middle class and artists flocked there in summer. Today, as well as being a wellness centre, the town is an ideal base for enjoying the many outdoor activities on offer in the Salzkammergut, in summer and winter.
The Salzkammergut is both a rugged and romantic region, a place of longing for city dwellers, lowlanders and nature lovers alike, and Bad Ischl is its charming heart. Lakes cover the region, many of them crystal clear and bordered by limestone peaks that rise out lush forests. At the southern end of the Salzkammergut, the mighty Dachstein, Austria’s most iconic mountain, looms majestically over Lake Hallstatt and the fairytale village from which it gets its name. Inside the mountain, the salt from which the name Salzkammergut is derived is found in abundance. During the Iron Age, its extraction led to the prosperity of the people in and around Hallstatt.
Now there is yet another reason to visit the Salzkammergut. In addition to all the region’s usual attractions there is now a festive atmosphere celebrating Bad Ischl as European Capital of Culture 2024 along with 22 other communities in the region. This comes with an important caveat, however: how to respect the natural and cultural heritage of the Salzkammergut while planning for a relevant and sustainable future.
Comprising each of the eight euro and cent coins in circulation, this set is ideal as a gift, a lasting memento or a fitting souvenir of Austria, which features native flowers, iconic buildings and illustrious Austrians. All Special Uncirculated quality coins 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.
Product No. | 26345 |
Date of Issue | 6 December 2023 |
Quality | Special Uncirculated |
Occasion | New Year, Christmas |
Packaging | Comes in a blister pack featuring information in German and English |
Mintage (Special Uncirculated) | 50,000 |