The Austrian Mints ten-coin  ‘Federal Provinces’, or Austria: Piece by Piece series continues on with the release of the eighth coin, this time depicting the flattest province in this European country, Burgenland. Bordering Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia, Burgenland is the location of the Neusiedler See, a lake known for its reeds and shallowness, along with a fine bird population. The Neusiedler See is Austria’s largest lake, and a favourite with ornithologists, sailors, and wind and kite surfers.

This series again follows tradition with one side depicting a site or cultural object considered to be of “intangible cultural heritage” by UNESCO. This time it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a natural one, the southern shore of Lake Neusiedl. The coin obverse depicts the reeded area of the lake and many of the famous storks that inhabit the area,

The reverse side of this coin, continues the series signature of carrying a design based on artwork chosen from a school competition, this time by schoolgirl Leonie Schrollenberger. Every one of the coins to date, including this one, have been very successfully enhanced by the fresh and interesting artwork that an experienced coin designer wouldn’t think to do. This time the schoolkids side takes a similar look at the province to the pro’s, but as the schoolgirl thoughtfully including a few bottles of plonk in her artwork, I’m voting that the better coin face.

Due to ship from the 07 October at €36.30, this 17.3g sterling silver coin contains 16g of pure silver and comes in the standard Austrian Mint box. A collectors box is available holding the full ten-coin series, the nine provinces and a final coin with the whole country as it’s subject. Pretty cheap at €36.30, these are, like all the coins from the Muenze Osterreich, very well struck and interesting, if a little niche in taste outside of Austria. A numbered Certificate of Authenticity is included. For those on a budget, a 999 copper version with a 130,000 mintage is available for just €10. The next coin should be Oberösterreich which is the final province, with the last coin featuring the country as a whole. The previous seven coins are depicted below.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Not only Austria’s most easterly province, Burgenland is also the flattest. Forming the border with neighbouring Hungary, this former frontier land was once known as ‘German West Hungary’, which explains why Burgenland looks and feels different from the rest of Austria. Now located in the centre of the new Europe, this relaxed and sunny province is showcased on the eighth coin in the Austrian Mint’s educational Austria Piece by Piece series.

As well as a border, Burgenland shares the unique and atmospheric Lake Neusiedl with Hungary. The shallow steppe lake’s southern shore is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with abundant reed beds that provide a natural habitat for migratory birds. Many of the villages on the lake’s shore are famous for the storks that spend the summer nesting on their rooftops. The lake and its stunning birdlife feature on both sides of the coin, while some examples of Burgenland’s historic buildings are depicted on the coin’s reverse. Designed by schoolgirl Leonie Schrollenberger, who won the competition to design the coin, the reverse also shows a bottle of wine – Burgenland’s other world-class contribution.

ADVERTISEMENTS

PREVIOUS COINS