Austrian Mint

The coin Austria AG, based in Vienna is responsible for the issue and the coinage of the Austrian coins. It was created in 1989 by the conversion of the Vienna Hauptmünzamtes into a corporation and the subsequent sale to the Austrian National Bank.

The legal situation is therefore different from the legal position of many other states where the right of coinage is just outside the state. This was in Austria to 31 December 1988, the case: here the right of coinage was the Federal Ministry of Finance assumed the Austrian State Mint, the predecessor institution of the coin Austria.

The coin Austria AG performs not only the imprints, but also the engravings of coins produced. By 2002, she was solely responsible for the output and production of Schilling coins. Since then she has the right to issue the Austrian share of euro coins. But other coins as commemorative coins or bullion coins, such as the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Maria Theresa thaler, are produced at the mint of Austria.

Bullion coin of Austria are manufactured in sizes ranging from 1 g to 1 kg Agor - Hereaus in Switzerland. At this important gold melt the coin Austria is involved. Smaller bars up to 20 grams also exist with a security hologram ( Kinebar ), which is a Lipizzaner. These bars are purchased by all banks and have the " Good Delivery " status of the London Bullion Market Association ( LMBA ).

The coin Austria working in their capacity as mint for clients worldwide.

Historical

In 1397 the Vienna Mint is first mentioned with its headquarters in Vienna on the wool line. The thaler was first coined as Guldiner in Tyrol. The foundation should but on the ransom that was paid to 1194 for Richard the Lionheart to the Babenberg Leopold V, go back. 1554 first experiments are carried out with a rolling embossing in Hall in Tirol.

It was not until 1650, the embossing roll was introduced in Vienna mint master Johann Konrad directional Hauser Baron of chaos. In 1700, the screw press is used for coin production. 1752 moved the coin to Himmelpfortgasse. Since 1715, the term Hauptmünzamt is used for the coin. 1780 for the first time today known Maria Theresa thaler was coined. In 1830, the ring stamping was introduced. In 1834, the coin Austria moved into the building at the Haymarket, where at that time the Imperial in 1835 also Montanist Museum, forerunner of the kk geological Imperial Institute (now the Geological Survey of Austria, see local history), was housed. In contrast to this, the coin Austria is yet who even today.

Since the First World War, the company is the only mint for the resulting Republic of Austria. In 2005, she took over as a subsidiary Schoeller coin dealers.

The main building at night

Feststiege from Kaiserstein

Main building of the coin Austria, facade detail