Austrian 10€ Silver Tales & Legends Complete 6-Coin Set

LIMITED MINTAGE OF ONLY 40,000

!!  THREE-YEAR SERIES 2009-2011 !!

MULTIPLE “COIN OF THE YEAR” WINNERS IN THIS SERIES (COTY)

This unique Silver coin set celebrates the world renowned tales and legends of Austria. Spanning three years, 2009-2011, this six-coin silver set is a must have for collectors of fine numismatics and history enthusiasts. With a mintage of only 40,000 of each coin in Proof Silver, these are sure to sell out.

* Struck from 92.5% pure Proof Silver

* Each coin contains 0.48 oz. Pure Silver (2.86 oz. total set)

* Numbered Certificate of Authenticity

* Presentation Packaging

* Each coin in the set has a limited mintage of only 40,000!

#1 The Basilisk of Vienna - Part lizard, part toad, part rooster, the Basilisk, as legend has it, lived under a baker’s shop in Schönlaterngasse in medieval Vienna, shown in its present form on the obverse of this marvelous 10 euro silver coin. To look into the Basilisk’s eyes meant instant death until a brave baker’s apprentice, in return for the hand of the baker’s daughter, turned the terrifying beast to stone with the help of a mirror that confronted the Basilisk with its own horrible appearance. This scene is vividly depicted on the coin’s reverse. (2009)

#2 Richard the Lionheart in Duernstein - On his way home from the Crusades, King Richard I of England was captured by Duke Leopold of Austria and held in Duernstein castle, which serves as a backdrop to the mounted Blondel on the coin’s obverse. The reverse shows the King’s capture at an inn outside Vienna where, although disguised as a humble pilgrim, he was recognized either due to his elaborate signet ring or his desire to eat roast chicken, a delicacy reserved for the aristocracy at that time. Both are shown in the intricate detail of this extraordinary coin. (2009)

#3 The Erzberg in Styria - One of the most important iron ore deposits in Europe, the Erzberg continues to be mined today. But in keeping with the origins of the legend the obverse of this exquisitely detailed piece shows a mining scene at the terraced mountain from the Middle Ages. The reverse depicts the scene in the legend itself when, with the help of a tar-covered coat, the two enterprising miners prepare the capture of the sleeping merman in his dark, watery grotto near Graz. In return for his release the merman offered them iron ore forever, which explains the presence of the inscription “The Discovery of the Erzberg” in German. (2010)

#4 Charlemagne in the Untersberg - Intricate and detailed, the coin depicts the legend of the Holy Roman Emperor and his army sleeping beneath the Untersberg near Salzburg, though ready to wake from their slumber and be called back to action once ravens ceased flying above the mountain. A simple shepherd boy was chosen by a dwarf to inform Charlemagne whether ravens were still flying, which allowed the Emperor to go back to sleep for another century and thus avoided further strife and military conflict in the region. (2010)

#5 The Lindwurm in Klagenfurt - Today a landmark in Klagenfurt, where it is carved in stone next to a statue of Hercules, the Lindwurm was, according to local folklore, a dragon-like beast that terrorized the peasants and inhibited trade around the Carinthian capital in the Middle Ages. Designed by chief engraver Thomas Pesendorfer, the obverse of this magnificent coin shows the mythical beast’s present-day resting place, while the reverse tells the story of its slaughter in impressively dramatic detail designed by his colleague Helmut Andexlinger. (2011)

#6 Der liebe Augustin - The reverse of the coin depicts Marx Augustin, a popular piper in old Vienna, entertaining the patrons of one of the city’s alehouses in the shadow of St Stephen’s cathedral. One night he got so drunk that while sleeping it off in the street he was mistaken for a corpse and thrown into a mass grave full of plague victims. The obverse of the coin shows Augustin waking from his slumber just in time to save himself from being buried alive by playing his pipes to attract the attention of the gravediggers. When he didn’t succumb to the plague the rumor spread far and wide that wine was an excellent preventive medicine. Augustin was so grateful for his second chance that he decided to help out collecting the bodies of plague victims until, sadly, he eventually became one himself. (2011)

Each coin comes in its own box with Certificate of Authenticity.

Authorized Distributor for Austrian Mint.