Austria and the Euro
Austria voted by a two-thirds majority to join the European Union in 1994. However, populist support for both the EU and the single currency, has fluctuated. A year before the introduction of the single currency only 25% of Austrians supported joining the euro, but by the time it was launched in January 1999, 66% were in favour.
Austria chose to produce a series of coins illustrating flowers, architecture and famous people from its history. The designs were chosen by a national panel and public opinion poll. All designs are by the hand of Josef Kaiser and they include the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint. The coins have a unique design for each denomination, with a common theme for each of the three series of coins.
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The minor coins feature Austrian flowers: The 1, 2 and 5-cent coins show Alpine flowers representing Austria’s obligations and commitment to the environment: the gentian (1 cent), the edelweiss (2 cent), primrose (5 cent)
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The middle coins feature examples of architecture from Austria's capital, Vienna: The 10, 20, and 50-cent coins depict architectural works in Vienna: the spires of St Stephen’s Cathedral (10 cent), a masterpiece of Viennese Gothic architecture; the Belvedere Palace (20 cent), a jewel of Austrian baroque style, and the ‘Sezession’ building in Vienna (50 cent), a symbol of Austrian modernism and the birth of a new era.
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The two major coins feature famous Austrians: The €2 coin shows the portrait of the radical pacifist Bertha von Suttner, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905 and the €1 coin shows the portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the famous Austrian composer, and his signature.
2018 Austria The Centenary of the Founding of the Republic of Austria
