Austrian Mint 2010 Winter Olympic Silver Coins

Just in time for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics, the Austrian Mint in Vienna has released new silver coins celebrating two disciplines in winter sports, the 5 Euro Silver Ski Jump Coin and the 5 Euro Silver Snowboard Coin.

Both coins honor sporting events known well to the Austrians, and are sure to be instant hits with the coin buying public. In fact, the Mint expects them to sell out within weeks.

The 2010 Winter Olympics feature sports, which are normally performed on snow or ice, and have been seen almost every four years since their introduction in 1924 (no Winter Olympics were held in 1940 or 1944 due to World War II). The host country changes each time, with the 2010 Olympics being held in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This is the second time Canada has hosted the games.

No matter the locations, Austria always seems to perform well. Undoubtedly, this is due to the country's location in the Alps mountain range. Growing up in such close proximity to this pristine mountain environment gives Austrian citizens (as well as thousands of annual visitors) a chance to hone their winter sport skills.

The ski-jumping event has been included as part of the Winter Olympics since their introduction in 1924. Austria, for its part, has taken home an amazing 20 Olympic Medals for the sport.

Snowboarding is a relative new-comer to the Olympics, only appearing in 1998 at the games in Nagano, Japan. This new found sport is also a favorite of many Austrians, with two Olympic medals under their belt in the three Olympic games containing the competition (1998, 2002 and 2006).

Austrian Winter Olympics Silver Coins Specifications and Designs

Both coins are struck from 80% silver and feature a face value of 5 Euros. The nine-sided coin is symbolic of the nine federal provinces of Austria and has an official side with the Austrian coat-of-arms encircling the denomination of "5". Around the coat-of-arms are the inscriptions "REPUBLIK OSTERREICH" and "EURO".

On the flip-side of the ski-jump coin, a helmeted ski-jumper is shown mid-flight after leaving the ramp. In the background, many trees of an alpine forest are shown with "WINTERSPIELE 2010" inscribed at the top. It was designed by Helmut Andexlinger.

The snowboarding coin was designed by Chief Engraver Thomas Pesendorfer and shows a female snowboarder performing a trick in which she flips her snowboard over the rim of the half-pipe which they compete on. It also shows the inscription of "WINTERSPIELE 2010".

The silvers coins shown above and below are struck in Special Uncirculated condition for collectors, and are sold within a two-coin blister pack. They are available through the Austrian Mint Web site and have a maximum mintage of 50,000.

Silver Coins Images

 

Alloy:	Ag 800
Finish:	Special Uncirculated
Diameter:	28.5 mm
Fine Weight:	2 x 8 g
Mintage:	50,000
Edge:	Nine-Sided, Plain
Date of Issue:	20 January 2010
Face Value:	2 x 5 euro
Designer:	Helmut Andexlinger and Thomas Pesendorfer

 

Circulation quality versions were released into circulation on January 20, 2010, and are available through Austrian banks at face value. Each design has a maximum mintage of 225,000.

About the Austrian Mint

The Austrian Mint (http://www.austrian-mint.com/) is situated in the heart of Vienna and is the official minting authority for Austria with a 800 year history.

The Mint is the source for all Austrian Euro and Cent coins, whether they are intended for shopping, as an investment or for collection. Before the Euro, the Schilling and Groschen coins were minted, and before that -- during the monarchy -- Crowns, Guilders and Ducats were struck by the Austrian Mint.

The company is located close to the centre at the Vienna Stadtpark in a Biedermeier building erected under Emperor Ferdinand I. from 1835 to 1837. Today it accommodates one of the most modern mints in the world.

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