Euro Gold and Silver Commemorative Coins (Austria) - 2005 Coinage

500,000
100,000

Circulation
UNC

The obverse depicts the frontage of the Palais Lobkowitz and a cut down edition of the title page of the "Eroica" symphony, with a quill below.

The reverse shows a portrait of Beethoven, his signature, and the years of his life (1770–1827). A drawing from 1818, by August Klöber, served as model for the portrait.

The reverse shows a section of the globe in the background on the niobium core. In the foreground can be seen a small television antenna that was necessary by all early analog TV sets for signal reception. In the outer silver circle, several milestones from the history of television are depicted: an old TV set, an old camera, a family making use of a remote control; and finally, a control room at a television station leading to a set of satellite dishes. As well the text 50 Jahre Fernsehen ("50 years of Television") can be seen.

Circulation
UNC
Frosted Proof

130,000
40,000
60,000

?
€16.50
€22.00

The obverse of the coin shows the figure of Pallas Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, which stands facing the Parliament building in Vienna. She represents the Austrian Republic and is surrounded by the coat of arms of the nine federal provinces.

The reverse of the coin shows the Austrian Parliament Building with a broken chain separating a jubilant crowd of citizens. The broken chain also appears on the claws of the Austrian national eagle, symbolizing the liberation of Austria. Under the broken chains, the text 60 Jahre Zweite Republik ("60 Years of the Second Republic") can be seen.

275,000
125,000

Circulation
UNC

The obverse shows the ship "Admiral Tegetthoff", which was constructed in Bremerhaven Germany, specifically for the Austro-Hungarian polar expedition. The ship is depicted at the start of the journey, entering the cold waters of the Arctic Circle. The ship was named after one of Austria's most famous admirals: Wilhelm von Tegetthoff.

The expedition was led by naval commander, Karl Weyprecht, and infantry first lieutenant, Julius von Payer. The reverse of the coin shows two explorers in Arctic gear with the frozen ship behind them.

The obverse shows the armored cruiser S.M.S. Sankt Georg sailing into New York Harbor on 17 May 1907; passing right in front of the Statue of Liberty. This was to be the last visit of an Austrian naval vessel in the U.S.A.

The reverse shows the naval arsenal of Pola, one of the principal naval bases of the Austro-Hungarian navy since the middle of the 19th century. The Olive Island in the harbor, with its two characteristic covered construction docks, can be seen. The stern and the propellers of the S.M.S. Sankt Georg are clearly shown in one of the docks. In the foreground a smaller steamship sails.

Circulation
UNC
Frosted Proof

130,000
40,000
60,000

?
€16.50
€22.00

This coin was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the re-opening of the rebuilt National Theatre (Burgtheater) and the National Opera. The obverse depicts the two buildings; the National Theatre slightly behind the Opera House.

In the reverse, two typical symbols of the theatre, the masks of comedy and tragedy are shown with the words Wiedereröffnung Von Burg und Oper ("Re-opening of the National Theatre and Opera, 1955").

The obverse gives an angled perspective view of the left-side and main door of the Steinhof church.

On the reverse, the Koloman Moser stained glass window over the main entrance can be seen. In the center of the window is God the Father seated on a throne. The window is flanked with a pair of bronze angels in Jugendstil style, originally designed by Othmar Schimkowitz.