The Austrian Mint has recently unveiled the second coin in a new series highlighting the nine federal provinces of Austria.
This series provides some unique appeal in that the reverse designs are created by children living in each province. The final reverse design for each coin is selected from thousands submitted through a competition which invites all 9- and 10-year-old children to submit a design about their home province.
The obverse of each coin features a UNESCO world heritage site located in each province.
This second release of the series features Carinthia, or Kärnten in native language. The reverse design is by 10-year-old Philip Ogris and shows the name of the province in both German and Slovenian to highlight the bilingual schools of the province. It also includes ibexes (goats), the Lindwurm of Klagenfurt (a legendary dragon), and the waters of Lake Wörthersee. The obverse by Austrian Chief Designer Thomas Pesendorfer features a scene of the ancient art of falconry on the grounds of medieval Landskron Castle.
The first release of the series, which went on sale in April, featured Styria or Steiermark. The reverse design by 10-year-old Viktoria Reicht featured forests, apples, and pumpkins. The obverse by Thomas Pesendorfer features a depiction of the old-town center of the capital of the province Graz.
The series “Austria By Its Children” will include two releases each year for five years. The first nine coins will celebrate the nine provinces, while the tenth and final coin will celebrate the country as a whole. Each coin is struck in 92.5% silver with a diameter of 32 mm and weight of 17.30 grams.
Samuel says
these coins r beautiful. but the style is too similar to other two series – legend and tales, great abbey. and the size is too small in my opinion.
Hidalgo says
They are beautiful, but too “busy” / “crowded”
Shutter says
Off topic. It looks like in November Perth will be releasing more snakes (big surprise!). This will include Cook Islands rectangle set and baby snake. Interestingly they will have a set of all four 2012 HR coins. This interesting since Perth site claims that (a) the dragon is sold out and (b) no more than 7,500 of HR Dragons coins will be released. Does that mean there will now be more than 7,500 of them, or did they set aside a bunch for this set?
Having ordered and received HR Koala from them, yesterday I experienced another downside of ordering from GovMint. A lady from them called and proceeded to recite what seemed like their entire inventory. Because I didn’t want to be too rude, it took me 15 minutes to get her to stop. Egads!
Jeremy says
@Shutter, where do you see a release including all 4 2012 HR coins?
Louis says
I also did not see the other items listed, though I don’t plan on getting them. How did you find out about those Shutter?
Shutter says
How did you find out about those
I’d rather not post this in public forum, since I am not sure that I am supposed to know that. Michael did ask me the same in a private message and I responded. It’s up to him if he wants to post that info.
Michael Zielinski says
The Perth Mint has embargo dates on new product releases and images. As a publisher, I adhere to these and do not publish anything ahead of time. However on public forums and the like, some details do tend to sneak out.
CaptainOverkill says
Thanks a lot for the info, Shutter. I’ll be skipping the rectangles and baby snake, I think.
This 4 coin high relief set is very interesting, but I already have all the high relief releases, so I suspect I will pass unless the price is low. Though for people who missed out on the dragon, this should be a good opportunity. I imagine the packaging will be quite nice.
Having ordered and received HR Koala from them, yesterday I experienced another downside of ordering from GovMint. A lady from them called and proceeded to recite what seemed like their entire inventory. Because I didn’t want to be too rude, it took me 15 minutes to get her to stop. Egads!
I was aware of this going into the sale which is why I had someone else in my coin-buying group, who had ordered from them before, sacrifice himself so I didn’t get hit with the telemarketing calls. He’s heard from them three times since he ordered and just hangs up on them.
Samuel says
this 4 HR set, the only new thing is the box, right? how they deal with the exculsive sale in US thing for the koala and kook?
Shutter says
All good questions Samuel, but the Perth Mint isn’t talking, so we’ll have to wait until November. Personally, I don’t see what’s the big deal and wish the world mints were a tad less secretive about their products. One of the very few benefits of US Congress micromanaging US Mint is that at least we know what products to expect.
FWIW, Perth Mint probably takes the view that the 4 coin set is a different product than its individual components.
Louis says
I am familiar with the whole embargo system, and that’s their prerogative business decison, but on the HR set, once it is officially announced (prob. when the Oct. coins release) there is no reason one of us can’t just ask them if the announced mintage figs. include those coins in the sets, or if it is in addition.
Remember when the RCM came out with their Titanic coin and stamp set and lots of people figured they were increasing the mintage of the 15K coin, but then the mint confirmed to me (not customer care but the official spokesman of the mint) that the previously announced mintage included those in the sets.
But Perth is also known to remint earlier issues that did not sell out, so who knows at this point.
Shutter says
But Perth is also known to remint earlier issues that did not sell out, so who knows at this point.
Supposedly HR dragon did sell out. The only one of the four so far.
Steve says
WOW…I just got an email from Perth saying that they now had the 2013 Snake 3-coin Proof Set reserved for me!!
Back on 9/3, I, along with many others got this set is queue but after several minutes, it would never go through. I sent Perth an email complaining about how frustrating this was. I got an email back telling me how many thousands of customers they had wanting this set…but they would put me on a waiting list. I NEVER expected to actually here back saying I could now purchase this set. I also added the 1/2 proof so I could get free shipping.
Have any of you ever experienced this from Perth before?