Austrian silver Philharmonics are the world’s first silver bullion coin to be minted in Euros. This coin carries a face value of 1.5 Euros although its actual value far exceeds this sum. The Austrian silver Philharmonic carries a design representative of the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. On the obverse is shown the organ in the concert hall of this Orchestra. The name of the Philharmonic Orchestra, the weight and face value of the coin are also marked here. The reverse of the coin carries images of many of the instruments used in the Orchestra including the violin, French horn, harp and bassoon.
Silver Content and Weight
Each of these Austrian silver Philharmonics is made with investment grade 0.999 grade pure silver. The Philharmonics are slightly smaller than the Silver Eagle or Maple Leaf with a diameter of 37mm. The Austrian Mint has a reputation for creating some of the finest bullion coins. This 800 year old mint also happens to be one of the world’s oldest and most skilled mints. The technical perfection you will see with the Austrian silver Philharmonics puts them in a class of their own.
Historical Significance
There is some interesting history behind the Austrian silver Philharmonics. When Richard the Lionhearted was returning from the Crusades, he was captured in Vienna. To secure the King’s freedom, an enormous ransom was paid in silver. This silver was used to create the coinage of the Austrian Empire that has morphed into the modern day silver coins. In its present day version, the Philharmonic silver coins were first released as late as in 2008.The design of these coins matches that used on the gold Philharmonics that were released much earlier in 1989.
Premium on Philharmonic Silver Coins
You can buy Philharmonic silver coins in bulk or as individual pieces. Bulk purchases are usually the most economical because there is low premium on these. However, it may not be possible for all investors to afford large orders. For small investors, buying single pieces of one ounce Austrian silver Philharmonics is a good option.
The premium on bullion coins usually differs with the year of mintage of the coin. However, the Austrian silver Philharmonic is a fairly new entrant to the world of silver bullion coins. This is the reason why you are not likely to find a great deal of difference in premiums between one year’s series and the next. However, current year coins are likely to be the lowest priced.
How to Buy Silver Philharmonics?
While it is possible to buy single pieces of these beautiful Austrian silver coins, the 20 coin tubes are your best choice. Other than the lower premium you would pay for the larger order, the fact that 20 coin rolls come in plastic tubes is to be taken into account. The Mint packs 20 coin rolls into white tubes that preserve these coins in the best condition for years. This makes it easy to store these in a compact and safe manner in the smallest of safety lockers. Silver being far more affordable than gold, the 20 coin packs may not really be out of reach even for smaller investors.
If you can invest a large amount in silver, then your best choice is the Mint box of 500 coins. There are sure to be additional discounts on such large purchases which will significantly reduce your total investment amount. These 500 coin sets come in grey mint boxes that are secured by Mint officials. These coins are packed so that they can be preserved in mint condition for years on end.
Identifying Reliable Dealers
Before you place your order for Austrian silver Philharmonics, it is important to identify a reliable dealer who transacts in authentic coinage. As an investor it may be difficult for you to assess the coinage quality offered by a dealer. Check the dealer’s website to see if he is authorized by grading organizations like the ANA or PGCS. A dealer who has such authorizations can be trusted to sell you high quality coins originating from authentic sources.
Buying your Austrian silver Philharmonics online is the easiest and quickest way to invest in pure silver today. There are a number of reliable dealers who offer online sales and purchases. The ANA also has a dealer directory listing those that offer quality coinage and other bullion products. Choose your online dealer from this list to ensure that you buy genuine coinage. You can compare prices for Austrian silver Philharmonics offered by different dealers on this list to identify the one giving you the best deals.