Silver-Niobium Galileo Coin: Year Of Astronomy (2009): Austria: 25 Euro

2009 has been designated “The International Year of Astronomy“. To honour this title the Austrian Mint in Vienna has chosen to dedicate its silver-niobium coin this year to this fascinating theme.

The new bimetal coin displays a three-quarter portrait of the famous astronomer and mathematician Galileo Galilei and scope with which he observed the surface of the Moon just 400 years ago in 1609.

In the background his drawing of the moon surface is reproduced, while the silver ring spans the development of the telescope from Newton’s telescope through the observatory in Kremsmuenster (Upper Austria) to radio telescopes and those launched into space - a far cry from Galileo’s 1st views of the moon.

The official side of the coin with the face value and legend “Republik Oesterreich” shows the dark side of the moon that Galileo Galilei could not observe. A satellite is shown orbiting the moon and surveying its surface. In the ring one sees the Earth partly covered by the moon and below a stylised Sun radiates the heavens.

The niobium pill this year is a golden yellow, which provides an excellent surface for the detailed design of the coin, which goes on sale on 11th March, 2009. The Austrian Mint was the 1st to employ niobium (discovered in 1801) in commemorative coins, changing its colour each year. The 25 Euro silver-niobium coin has proven to be one of the most popular of all issues, anxiously awaited by connoisseurs and coin collectors.

The new silver-niobium coin is struck in special uncirculated quality to a mintage of 65,000 pieces. Each coin comes in an attractive box with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

Specifications for 25 Euro bimetal (Silver-Niobium) “The Year of Astronomy” coin

Alloy

Ring: 9 g Silver 900/1000 / Pill: 6.5 g niobium

Finish

Special Uncirculated Quality

Diameter

34 mm

Mintage

65,000

Date of Issue

11 March 2009

Face Value

25 euro

Designer

Herbert Waehner

About the Austrian Mint

The Austrian Mint is situated in the heart of Vienna and is the official minting authority for Austria with a 800 year history. The Austrian Mint is the source for all Austrian Cent and Euro coins. Before the Euro, the Schilling and Groschen coins were minted, and before that - Crowns, Guilders and Ducats. The Mint is located close to the centre at the Vienna Stadtpark in a Biedermeier building erected under Emperor Ferdinand I. from 1835 to 1837.