When in 1194 Richard the Lionheart paid 12 tonnes of silver to Duke Leopold V of Austria, not only did he secure his freedom from a year of incarceration, but he also unwittingly laid the foundations of the Austrian Mint.
As was the rather brutal custom of the day, having been previously insulted by King Richard I, Duke Leopold captured and imprisoned the English monarch near Vienna as he was returning overland to England from the Crusades. Duke Leopold decided to strike coins from his booty and in doing so set in motion more than 800 illustrious years of minting history in Vienna.
In the last 830 years, many different minting methods have been employed there. Up to the 16th century the minting hammer was used for striking coins and the roller press, rocker press and screw press followed. On the other hand, ring striking – which produces an even, round shape – has been in use only since c. 1830. In essence, it is still used today, although up to 750 coins per minute can now be minted by more modern methods.
Engraved and Prestigious Coins
Right from the outset, the expert craftsmanship of the Vienna Mint also played a vital role in the production of prestigious and timeless coins of the very highest standard. In Vienna the engraving academy has been in existence since 1733 and miniature works of art are still today being created by its highly gifted and experienced designers. Indeed, the Austrian Mint is especially proud of the loyalty of its long-serving staff for whom coins are a passion, not merely a means of earning a living.
Over the years, mints were established and coins struck throughout Austria in towns and cities such as Graz, Krems, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Villach. However, with the formation of the Republic of Austria in 1918, the Vienna Principal Mint became the country’s one and only mint – and remains so today. In 1989 the mint was privatised, renamed as Münze Österreich AG and became a subsidiary of the Austrian National Bank.
One of Austrian Mint’s most internationally recognised coins is the Maria Theresa Taler. Originating in 1780, the year Empress Maria Theresa died, today it is not only the most famous silver coin in the world, but also boasts the greatest number minted. Such international successes have made the Mint something of an ambassador for Austria, another prime example of this being the world-famous golden Vienna Philharmonic coin. One of the most popular gold bullion coins worldwide, it has played a vital role in the success of the Austrian Mint.
Internationally renowned for its know-how in precious metal processing and coin production, the Austrian Mint is a global player in the international minting industry and ranks among the world’s leading mints. Its beautifully crafted coins, which are minted in the very heart of Vienna, are highly sought after by investors and collectors all over the world.
The Austrian Mint in the Modern Day
In addition to striking some of the world’s best-selling bullion coins and an impressive range of collector coins and medals, the Austrian Mint supplies coins and blanks to many countries worldwide. However, first and foremost, its duty is to produce the Republic of Austria’s Euro circulation coins.
With more than 830 years of coin-making experience, since 1988 the Austrian Mint has operated as a private company and is the sole manufacturer of coinage to the Austrian people.
The majestic building occupies one of the most prestigious locations in the Austrian capital and, historic though it may be, behind its classic façade lies the state-of-the-art production plant. Here, centuries of craftsmanship and tradition combine with some of the world’s leading coin-making technology, much of it developed and innovated by its very own numismatic experts.
Owned in its entirety by the Austrian National Bank, the Austrian Mint employs just under 200 people and produces some 350 million coins a year. Indeed, more than 27 million Golden Philharmonic coins have been produced since 1989 and more than 9.24 billion Euro circulation coins since 2002.
Multiple ISO certifications
As a forward-thinking company, Austrian Mint keeps the highest standards in quality, environmental protection, occupational safety and energy efficiency. Four ISO certifications prove the ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices and continuous improvement:
ISO 9001
Quality Management System:
The mint ensures structured processes, high customer satisfaction and the continuous optimization of all services.
ISO 14001
Environmental Management System:
Environmental protection is not an option for us – it’s a responsibility. The certified environmental management helps preserve natural resources and minimize environmental impact.
ISO 45001
Occupational Health and Safety Management System:
The safety and well-being of all employees is a top priority. The certified system ensures safe working conditions and a healthy work environment.
ISO 50001
Energy Management System:
By using energy efficiently, the mint not only reduces operating costs, but also lowers our ecological footprint for a sustainable future.
Trust in certified quality for secure processes, responsible action and measurable efficiency.
