Euro Gold and Silver Commemorative Coins (Austria) - 2002 Coinage

Market value: €200.00

The coin shows a dual representation of St. Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica. St. Benedict is the patron saint of Western Europe and the father of western monasticism. The directive for monastic life, Rule of St Benedict, initiated by St. Benedict in the sixth century is still valid today. Together with his sister, Benedict also founded an order of nuns who would follow the same instructions. The coin shows him holding the Holy Rule while St. Scholastica holds a dove.

The reverse of the coin shows a monk at a writing desk working on a manuscript. It represents the work of the monks in the Middle Ages copying books by hand, so preserving a large storehouse of knowledge.

Circulation
UNC
Frosted Proof

130,000
20,000
50,000

?
€19.95
€99.95

On the obverse of the coin there is a view of the castle to the south of Innsbruck with its Renaissance-style precincts forming the central design. The inscription Republik Österreich can be seen at the top of the coin, while the face value of 10 euro and the issue date can be seen at the bottom.

On the reverse there is a representation of three court musicians crossing the Spanish Hall, based on a picture from 1569.

500,000
100,000

Circulation
UNC

The reverse shows the Emperor's Pavilion at the Vienna Zoo, surrounded by a diversity of animals. The dates "1752–2002", referring to the anniversary and the issue date of the coin, can be seen, as well as the text 250 Jahre Tiergarten Schönbrunn—the 250th anniversary of the Schönbrunn Zoo.

The obverse of the coin shows the "Swiss Gate" in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. Ferdinand enlarged the Hofburg and renovated it in the Renaissance style. Ferdinand's coat-of-arms and titles can be observed at the top of the gate. The two soldiers flanking the gate are a reminder of the unsettled times of 1529, during the Siege of Vienna.

The reverse of the coin shows a portrait of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I, brother of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and father of the Austrian line of the Habsburg dynasty.

Circulation
UNC
Frosted Proof

130,000
20,000
50,000

?
€32.50
€39.95

The obverse of the coin shows a frontal view of the castle. Built by Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg, the castle demonstrates several astronomical themes: four gigantic towers represent the four elements, 365 windows represent the days of the year, and 24 reception rooms represent the hours of a day. The construction was begun in 1625 and completed in 1642 (after Hans Ulrich's death).

The reverse of the coin has a portrait of the scholar and astronomer Johannes Kepler, a contemporary personally acquainted with von Eggenberg and most probably an influence on the design of the castle. In the foreground is Kepler's masterpiece, the model "Mysterium Cosmographicum".

The obverse of the coin shows the Grand Staircase in the town palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy, currently the Austrian Ministry of Finance. Gods and demi-gods hold its elevations, while Hercules stands at the turn of the stairs.

The reverse of the coin displays a portrait of Prince Eugene, reminiscent of his equestrian statue in the grounds of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. A typical Baroque arrangement of cannon, flags and captured standards decorates the background.

Market value: €300.00

The obverse bears a portrait of one of the greatest Baroque sculptors, Georg Rafael Donner, with the Palace of the Lower Belvedere in the background. This palace is currently the Museum of Baroque Art in Vienna, and contains much of Donner's work.

The reverse features the Providentia Fountain (written in the coin as Provendentia Brunnen) in central Vienna, a work by the same sculptor. In the center of the coin, the allegorical figure of Providentia is displayed with a medallion of the Roman god Janus, who had two faces. Surrounding the fountain there are other symbolic figures representing the tributary rivers of the Danube; Providentia is enthroned high above the figure of an old man representing the Enns River.