Silver Niobium Coin
Renewable Energy

Not only one of the key watchwords of the 21st century, sustainability is also one of its biggest challenges. In recognition of this, the outstanding 2010 edition of the Austrian Mint’s popular 25 euro Silver Niobium series features renewable energy and the vital role it plays in a world of dwindling resources.

Inspired by the living, breathing plant process, our engraver Helmut Andexlinger has placed a tree representing all our planet’s vegetation in the shining blue niobium core of the coin’s obverse. The wind blows the tree’s leaves to the ground in a spiral reflecting the life-giving cycle of the four elements – earth, wind, fire and water. All four are also represented in ingenious detail on the coin’s reverse by the contemporary modes of renewable energy used to harness them. Water drives one type of turbine, wind another, the suns rays are captured by solar panels and geothermal heat sources in the earth are recovered in the form of steam.

The 25 euro silver-niobium coin has proven to be one of the most popular of all issues, anxiously awaited by coin collectors and connoisseurs alike. Struck in Special Uncirculated quality to a maximum mintage of 65,000 pieces, each coin comes in an attractive box with a numbered certificate of authenticity.