Launched way back in 2003, to much acclaim, the Austrian Mint’s innovative Niobium series was quite unlike anything else out there at the time. A silver ring, inset into which is a disc made of a metal called niobium. This is quite unusual in that it can be coloured using anodised oxidation, rather than requiring the application of a colour ink or paint. Until 2013, the niobium pill was a single colour, but since then, the mint has utilised two.

The latest coin (each has a specific theme based around the world of science), is called ‘Digitalisation’, and the design takes symbols of today’s new digital world, including an LCD display, icons, circuitry, and various forms of media. These coins have full designs on both faces, not just in the coloured niobium centre, but around the borders as well. They’re clever coins, distilling a whole subject down to two stylised faces. It’s easy to see why they’ve won awards in the past.

The coin comes in a small red box, complete with a certificate of authenticity, and has a hefty mintage of 65,000 pieces. There’s also a limited set, which includes a special Crypto stamp not available elsewhere, which was created in conjunction with the Austrian Post, and has digital images on the blockchain. A maximum of 5,000 of these will be available, the coins being included in the maximum 65,000 mintage. Both the set, and the individual coin, will be available to purchase from 12th March. Check out our Coin Series Profile of the range to see all 23 coins issued in the series to date.