The short answer
The Vienna Philharmonic is the Austrian Mint’s gold bullion coin, made since 1989 in 99.99% pure gold. The 1 oz coin has a €100 face value and, at 37 mm across, is wider and thinner than most 1 oz coins. It’s allowed in a U.S. gold IRA. It’s one of the best-known bullion coins in Europe, though fewer U.S. dealers stock it than the Gold Eagle or Maple Leaf.
At a glance
| Made by | Münze Österreich (the Austrian Mint) |
| First issued | 1989 |
| Purity | .9999 fine gold (24 karat) |
| 1 oz coin | 31.10 g of gold, 37 mm, €100 face value |
| Sizes | 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz and 1/25 oz |
| Allowed in an IRA | Yes |
Sizes and specifications
| Size | Face value | Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | €100 | 37.0 mm |
| 1/2 oz | €50 | 28.0 mm |
| 1/4 oz | €25 | 22.0 mm |
| 1/10 oz | €10 | 16.0 mm |
| 1/25 oz | €4 | 13.0 mm |
Each coin contains its stated weight of 99.99% gold. The 1/25 oz coin was added in 2014. Before Austria adopted the euro, the face values were in Austrian schillings, and the euro values started in 2002.
The 1 oz coin is about 2 mm thick. Because of its large diameter, it looks bigger than a Maple Leaf or Gold Eagle holding the same amount of gold, which is worth knowing if you’re comparing coins side by side.
The design
The front shows the great pipe organ in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, the Vienna concert hall that is home to the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. The back shows the orchestra’s instruments: a Vienna horn, a bassoon, a harp and four violins arranged around a cello. The designs are by Thomas Pesendorfer, and they’ve stayed essentially the same since 1989.
In 2004 the Mint also struck a 1,000-ounce “Big Phil”, 37 cm across, with a face value of €100,000.
Can Philharmonics go in an IRA?
Yes. An IRA can hold gold bullion that meets the purity needed for delivery on a regulated futures contract, which is 99.5% for gold, and the Philharmonic is 99.99%. The coins have to be held by the IRA’s trustee or custodian. The gold IRA guide explains how that works.
Price and resale
Philharmonics sell for the spot price of their gold plus a premium. The Austrian Mint describes the coin as one of the most successful bullion coins in the world, and it’s widely traded in Europe. In the U.S. it’s less common than the Gold Eagle or the Maple Leaf, so get more than one quote when you sell.
Like other 24-karat coins, it scratches easily, so keep the coins in their tubes or capsules and hold them by the edges. For judging a premium, see what gold really costs.
U.S. taxpayers owe tax on a gain as a gain on a collectible, at up to 28% for coins held more than a year.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vienna Philharmonic pure gold?
Yes. It’s 99.99% gold, or 24 karat.
Why is it called the Philharmonic?
It honors the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. The front shows the organ in the orchestra’s concert hall, and the back shows its instruments.
Is the Philharmonic legal tender?
Yes, in Austria. The euro face value is symbolic and far below the value of the gold.
Is the 1/25 oz coin a good way to buy gold?
It’s an affordable way to own a little gold, but premiums on very small coins are much higher per ounce than on a 1 oz coin. If you’re buying mainly for value, larger sizes get you more gold for your money. Our gold coins buyer’s guide compares sizes and premiums.
Sources
- Münze Österreich, 1 ounce gold Vienna Philharmonic coin
- Münze Österreich, The Vienna Philharmonic
- Wikipedia, Vienna Philharmonic (coin)
- 26 U.S. Code § 408(m), investment in collectibles (Cornell LII)
- CME Group, Precious metals physical delivery process (minimum fineness)
- IRS Topic No. 409, Capital gains and losses