Austria: New five-euro coins focus on democracy and the reopening of the Parliament building

The Austrian Mint has released new collector coins which mark the occasion of the reopening of the Parliament building in Vienna. 

The obverse design is the work of Helmut Andexlinger and Rebecca Wilding and features two heads in profile and one facing front which represents the Austrian people as sovereign. To the left is a watchful eye surrounded by stylised laurel leaves and to the right is a section of the Austrian Parliament building in the background. Another part of the design illustrates the spirit from which the Austrian Republic was born and includes text from Austria’s Constitution ÖSTERREICH IST EINE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK – IHR RECHT GEHT VOM VOLK AUS (Austria is a Democratic Republic – Its laws emanate from the people) the words are seen on the top and bottom edges of the coin along with the year of issue, 2022. The standard reverse design on copper and silver versions depicts each of the nine cantonal coats of arms arranged in a circle on the value side of the nine-sided coin. The crests are surrounded with the text REPUBLIK OSTERREICH along with the denomination of 5 EURO, the numeral 5 is centred.  

Of particular interest is the base metal five-euro version, which is unlike any coins previously minted in Austria. The Democracy €5 coins are struck from the old copper sheeting recovered from the former roof of the Parliament building in Vienna. By recycling the copper from the Parliament’s refurbishment, it is hoped the ideals of the Republic itself will be a special keepsake for many and a permanent part of Austrian coinage. 

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Mintage Limit
Five euro	.999 Copper	8.9 g	28.5 mm	Uncirculated	200,000
Five euro	.925 Silver	7.7 g	28.5 mm	Brilliant Unc.	50,000

Available from the 12th October, each selected Uncirculated silver coin is presented in a blister-type folder with illustrations and text describing the coin’s motif. The Uncirculated copper coins are sold without packaging and are available for their face value. For more details, please visit the website of the Austrian Mint.

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