The Vienna Philharmonic silver coin is currently the only European bullion coin with a face value in euros (€1.50). Since its first mintage in 2008, the Münze Österreich (Austrian Mint)’s design has won global awards and the title of “Europe’s #1 silver bullion coin.”

Why, exactly? Is Brexit to blame?

Here’s one theory: most countries choose nationalistic/patriotic symbols for their sovereign coins. Britannia, Lady Liberty, the monarchs featured on Australian and Canadian coinage… Austria, though? Who are they going to pick as the face they show the world – Emperor Franz Josef? He-who-must-not-be-named with the delusions of grandiosity and a funny mustache? Not a smart marketing move! Instead, the Austrian Mint chose a completely apolitical symbol of national pride and achievement just about everyone can get behind: the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

The silver Philharmonic’s design hasn’t changed since its first mintage. The obverse features what might, at first, look like a building. It’s actually part of the Großer Musikvereinssaal (Golden Hall): an 1870 display case for the hall’s truly massive pipe organ. Over the last 150 years, the organ has only been swapped out four times. Today the gilded display case houses a latest-generation Rieger-Orgelbau organ.

You’ll see the words Republik Osterreich and 1 unze feinsilber on the obverse as well. These translate to “Republic of Austria” and “1 ounce fine silver” from German, Austria’s official language. The 2023 year of issue and face value of €1.50 are on the obverse as well.

The reverse continues the orchestral theme with a representative sampling of the instruments played on any given night in the Golden Hall. A single cello, flanked right and left by two violins dominate the foreground. Behind the string section, we see (left to right) a French horn, part of a bassoon and a harp. These represent respectively the brass, woodwind and percussion sections of the orchestra – yes, the harp is considered percussion rather than strings – so all four sections are accounted for. Across the top edge of the coin, the phrase Weiner Philharmoniker (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) appears in classic Gothic lettering. Underneath, the word Silber appears to help distinguish the silver philharmonic coin from its platinum cousin.

Look: Europe has had a rough century or so. Two global wars, the rise and fall of the Iron Curtain, economic collapses by the handful – in fact, Austria suffered nearly a decade of hyperinflation at roughly the same time as Weimar Germany. These people have long memories, and that’s a major reason silver bullion coins like the Philharmonic are so popular in Europe. In Austria, Hungary, Germany, Italy, in France and Spain and even little Lichtenstein the prudent buy silver Philharmonics by the tube and bury them in the garden. Just in case.

Tube of 20 2023 1 oz Austrian Philharmonic silver coins – highlights:

• Europe’s top-selling silver bullion coin since 2008
• Bright, shiny, just-minted tube of 20 1 oz coins
• Minted in 0.999 pure silver by one of Europe’s oldest coin-makers, the Münze Österreich (Austrian Mint)
• 2023 is the fifteenth year of mintage – for a very active and liquid secondary market
• These sealed Austrian Mint tubes are perfect for compact, convenient, long-term storage