Austrian Mint

Münze Österreich AG describes itself as the state mint of Austria (Staatliche Münzprägestätte Österreichs). Its history page traces the origin of the first Vienna mint to 1194, when silver paid as ransom for the English king Richard the Lionheart was struck into coins; the mint was first mentioned in a document about 200 years later. Its present premises at the Heumarkt, built 1835–1838 as the Hauptmünzamt, remain the company's headquarters and still serve as production and administration building. The mint produces bullion products such as the Vienna Philharmonic in gold, silver and platinum, gold ducats and minted bars, as well as collector coins including the "Fantastische Fabelwesen" series. Its management board consists of General Director Gerhard Starsich and technical board director Manfred Matzinger-Leopold.

According to Münze Österreich AG's corporate history page, the story of the first Vienna mint begins in 1194: the English king Richard the Lionheart paid roughly 12 tonnes of silver as ransom to Duke Leopold of Babenberg, who decided to strike the silver into coins. The mint was first mentioned in a document only about 200 years later. It was initially located near the Hoher Markt, later in the Wollzeile and then in the Himmelpfortgasse in Prince Eugene's Winter Palace. Since the first half of the 19th century it has been based at the Heumarkt, in the Hauptmünzamt building erected 1835–1838, which remains the company's headquarters and still serves as production and administration building. Over the past 830 years numerous minting methods were used: the minting hammer until the 16th century, followed by roller minting, the Taschenwerk and spindle pressing; from about 1830 ring minting began, which is essentially still used today and produces a uniformly round shape. Modern machines strike up to 700 coins per minute.

State mint of Austria emphasizing high material and artistic quality; its silver collector coins continue to be struck in sterling silver 925 and the Philharmonic bullion coin in silver Ag 999.

• Wiener Philharmoniker (Vienna Philharmonic)

  Bullion coins in gold in all denominations, also available in silver and platinum.

• Dukaten (ducats)

  Gold coins first struck in 13th-century Venice, which spread across Europe and reached Austria at the beginning of the 16th century; restrikes serve as bullion coins.

• Der Basilisk (3-Euro coin)

  Fourth coin in the "Fantastische Fabelwesen" series of twelve coins; features a basilisk and reacts to UV light.

• Münze Österreich Prägebarren

  Minted gold bars, e.g. 20-gram bars.

1. 1Münze Österreich AG – Staatliche Münzprägestätte Österreichsmuenzeoesterreich.at
2. 2Geprägte Freiheit – die Geschichte der Münze Österreich AGmuenzeoesterreich.at
3. 3Pressemuenzeoesterreich.at
4. 4Vorstand der Münze Österreich AGmuenzeoesterreich.at