Silver Niobium Coin
The 150th Anniversary of the Semmering Railway

Considered the world’s first true mountain railway, the Semmering Railway is still in full use more than 150 years after its construction. The 2004 edition of the Austrian Mint’s unique Silver Niobium series celebrates the anniversary of this technological wonder in fitting style.

Built between 1848 and 1854 by some 20,000 workers and featuring 14 tunnels, 16 viaducts and over 100 stone bridges, over the course of its 41 kilometre length this UNESCO World Heritage Site conquers an altitude difference of 460 metres. The railway’s durability is symbolised by its contrasting past and present locomotives on the coin’s obverse. The coin’s vivid green niobium core mirrors the colour of the landscape through which the railway passes, which is shown on the coin's reverse. Here a steam train is seen crossing a viaduct spanning a deep valley framed by the coin’s outer silver ring bearing the anniversary inscription.

With a maximum mintage of 65,000 pieces in Special Uncirculated quality only, the coin contains 9 grammes of 900 Fine silver in its outer ring and 6.5 grammes of 998 pure niobium. Each coin is encapsulated, boxed and comes complete with a numbered certificate guaranteeing its authenticity.