1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin

The Austrian Mint is well-known among global coin collectors. Their Austrian Gold Philharmonic was released in 1989 and was a near-immediate international success. For several years, it was ranked one of the most popular coins in the world, and collectors continue to gobble these coins up whenever they’re released. While it may have been the Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coin that helped put the Austrian Mint on the map, they’d been producing gold coins for the government of Austria for far longer. 

Today’s post will focus on the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin. Minted in 1976 to celebrate the 1,000 year anniversary of the historic Babenberg Dynasty, the coin remains an extremely popular numismatic gold bullion collectible. Bearing an action shot on the obverse and the crest of the Babenberg Dynasty on its reverse, the coin invokes the powerful imagery of one of Austria’s most powerful families. 

History of the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin 

Compared to some of the rare gold coins we sell, the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin is actually relatively new. The coin comes with artwork that seems almost ancient in nature, but the first (and only) 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin was only released in 1976. 1976 wasn’t just a random year; it happens to be the 1,000th anniversary of the initial founding of the Babenberg Dynasty, which ruled over Austria for hundreds of years before it eventually died out. 

The coin pays its respects to a pivotal time in Austria’s history. Without this dynasty it’s unlikely that Austria would have looked anything like it does in the modern era. The leadership of the dukes and various leaders from the Babenberg Dynasty helped to shape Austria into the country that it would eventually become. Their dynasty died out after they failed to produce suitable heirs, and they were succeeded by the Hapsburgs in 1246. 

Origins of Designs 

From its very inception in 1976, the coin has been a favorite for fans of Austria’s history. We don’t have any trouble understanding why this is the case, considering the coin’s rich designs and historical significance. The origin story for the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin is deeply intertwined with the history of the Babenberg Dynasty itself. The Babenbergs were a wealthy oligarchal family that ruled over the Margraviate of Austria for almost 300 years. 

While the family eventually lost power after they failed to produce a suitable heir to take the throne in 1246, they remain an important part of Austria’s early imperial history. The 1,000 year anniversary of the beginning of their reign occurred in 1976, which led to the unique obverse and reverse depictions that decorate the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin. 

Minting Periods

The 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin was only minted once. In 1976, the Austrian Mint released the coin to celebrate the proud history of the Babenberg Dynasty. The coin was never issued for circulation, meaning that only the bullion collectable version of the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin is available to investors. We don’t anticipate that this kind of coin will be minted again for quite a long time, considering its limited initial mintage run and the explosive popularity of other Austrian Mint coins. 

Notable Editions 

Like we mentioned above, this commemorative gold coin is the only one of its kind. Many 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coins were minted during 1976, but we haven’t seen a resurgence of the popular gold coin series since. From our perspective, this seems to be a one-and-done type of release. Still, collectors today can capitalize on the coin to add some much-needed numismatic value to their portfolios. 

The coin itself actually emphasizes the length of the Babenberg Dynasty’s dominance over early Austrian history. You’ll find the dates for their reign, 976-1976, on the obverse of the piece. While Austrian coins often emphasize the country’s musical history and culture, few coins put the regal history of early Austria on full display. 

Influence on the Austrian Economy 

The Austrian Schilling was an official currency for the country of Austria for much of its recent history. In 1999, the adoption of the Euro put the coin out of commission, though it still remained a circulating currency for three more years. But for several decades, Austrian citizens used the Schilling to conduct business, trade, and barter. We should note here that there’s never been an actual 1000 Schilling coin produced for circulation. The subject of this guide, the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin, was released purely as a commemorative collectable for investors. 

But the Austrian Schilling’s role in the Austrian economy cannot be overstated. It was the official currency of the Austrian government from 1925 to 1938, and it resumed its position as an official means of trade in the country again in 1945. It wasn’t until the country’s adoption of the Euro in 1999 that the Austrian Schilling began to fade from circulation. 

Role in Austrian Monetary History

The 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin plays an important role in both the history of coinage and the modern history of Austrian money. The coin comes at a time when the Schilling still retained dominance as a core currency in Austria, but this popularity would not last forever. Since the adoption of the European Euro as its official government currency, traders might appreciate a throw-back to the days of the original Austrian Schilling. 

Design and Features

Compared to modern coins, the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin offers a distinctly aged, antique feel. We see a notable contrast between this 1976 coin and the modern Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coin, especially when it comes to intricacy of design. But where cultural significance is concerned, the coins are certainly peers. 

Obverse Design 

Let’s take a look at the obverse of the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin. The obverse features the imperial eagle of Austria. This classic design has been used to represent the country of Austria for hundreds of years. Here, the screeching eagle wears the shield of Austria and carries both a hammer and sickle. Around its legs, you can find broken chains, signifying the freedom from tyranny that characterizes the Austrian people. The eagle also wears a crown. 

Reverse Design 

The reverse on this coin is really something interesting. We refer to this kind of reverse as an “action shot.” While some gold coins feature a static image, usually the portrait of a monarch or important political figure, this coin depicts someone taking an action. Here, we note the famous seal of Duke Friedrich II. This design was created by Gertrude Simon and shows a knight riding on his horse over a mountain range. He holds a flag above his head, which waves proudly and extends to the tale of the horse. 

Friedrich II was an important leader in Austrian history. His family crest is one of the most notable and beautiful crests we’ve come across. 

Coin Specifications 

This coin carries a face value of 1000 Austrian Schillings. While the Schilling currency is no longer used as a primary currency in the country of Austria, this coin once held value as a tool for barter and sale. It carries a lower gold purity than most gold coins, and we’ll take a look at the precise gold content of the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin below.For now, collectors should know that the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin has a face value and depicts two important Austrian cultural symbols on its faces. 

Composition and Purity 

Most modern gold bullion coins are minted with either .9167 or .9999 fine gold. This isn’t the case with the 1979 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin. While we weren’t able to find any information about the exact fineness of the 10000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin, the piece does contain .3906 troy ounces of pure gold bullion. Most collectors are more interested in this coin for its historical value than its pure gold content, but it’s important that investors know how much gold the coin contains before adding one to their own collections. 

Collectors who are interested in stacking as much gold as possible for their money should consider instead investing in gold bullion bars. Gold coins often come with extremely high premiums over spot, and this is especially true when it comes to historically significant and numismatically valuable gold coins. The 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin was only minted for one year, adding to its scarcity and numismatic value to collectors. 

Unique Characteristics 

The 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin is unique in a number of ways. Most readers are likely familiar with the Austrian Gold Philharmonic, which depicts Vienna’s musical culture on the obverse and reverse. But the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin instead focuses on the country’s imperial history, paying homage to its most famous leaders. The coin’s designs are remarkably less intricate and detailed when compared to the modern gold coins produced by the Austrian Mint, but they remain popular among collectors for a few different reasons. 

Collectors’ Market for 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coins

For collectors, getting your hands on a 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin can be difficult. The coin was, after all, only produced for one year in 1976. Despite its lower gold content than modern Austrian gold coins, it remains a popular investment for people who are interested in collecting old, historically important gold bullion coins. 

Current Market Trends 

The value of a 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin varies depending on a number of factors. To begin, the spot price of gold closely influences how much a 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin will sell for on the open market. The coin contains an approximate gold content of .3906 troy ounces, which helps to inflate its basic value. 

Over time, investor interest in old Austrian gold coins may increase as well. This could lead to numismatic appreciation. Numismatic value refers to value added to a coin because of its rarity or collectability. For the rare 1976 Gold Austrian Coin we’re discussing in this guide, numismatic value is generally pretty high. The coin’s unique designs, rare mintage, and place in Austrian history helps make it a popular choice for Austrian coin collectors. 

Valuation and Pricing 

Determining the value of your 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin can be difficult. We recommend turning to a professional coin grading service, especially if your coin is in exceptional condition or contains rare errors. For most coins, you can calculate approximate value using coin pricing guides and auction sale results. 

Factors Influencing Value 

The primary factor influencing the value of a 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin is the updated spot price of gold bullion. The pure gold content of this coin determines its base value, but your evaluation of the coin’s price on the open market shouldn’t stop with gold’s value. Instead, consider the total price of the coin, which is a product of numismatic value, investor demand, and collectability. 

The condition of your 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin also influences its value. Coins kept in perfect or near-BU condition are likely to sell for quite a bit more than cull or low-condition coins. 

Tips for Collectors

Collectors should always take steps to protect their investments. For a coin of this age and rarity, we recommend keeping it safe in its original packaging or display case. Additionally, a temperature-controlled safe can help you to prevent your coins from becoming damaged over time. 

When searching for 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coins, be sure to check multiple distributors. Some dealers may sell their coins at enormous premiums, and you might find sizable discounts by doing business with a local online dealer. 

Final Thoughts: 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin

Hero Bullion is proud to sell a wide variety of Austrian gold coins. We’re constantly expanding our inventory to provide investors with the very best coins that the Austrian Mint has to offer. The 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin was only ever minted during 1976, and it has remained a favorite of numismatic collectors all around the world since then. 

You might also be interested in:

• Austrian Philharmonic Gold Coin
• Australian Kangaroo Gold Coin
• British Sovereign Gold Coin