1/2 oz Philharmonic - Gold - Various years

The 1/2 ounce Philharmonic is the half-ounce investment gold coin from the Austrian Mint (Münze Österreich). This gold coin contains 15.55 g of 999.9 fine gold and its price tracks the gold spot price: it is this weight of gold, not the year, that determines its value.

Halfway between the quarter-ounce and the full ounce, it allows for investing an intermediate sum, and then reselling a portion of your gold without having to sell a full ounce. It is recognized by most European bullion dealers.

Technical specifications of the 1/2 oz Philharmonic

• Purity: 999.9 fine (24 carats)
• Fine gold weight: 15.55 g (1/2 troy ounce)
• Diameter: 28 mm
• Thickness: 1.6 mm
• Edge: reeded
• Face value: 1,000 schillings until 2001, then 50 euros from 2002
• Country of issue: Austria (Münze Österreich, Vienna)
• Condition: circulated, various years

History of the Vienna Philharmonic

The Austrian Mint (Münze Österreich), a subsidiary of the Central Bank of Austria, launched the gold Philharmonic in October 1989, initially in 1 ounce and 1/4 ounce sizes. The 1/10 ounce followed in 1991, then the 1/2 ounce in 1994; the small 1/25 ounce did not arrive until 2014.

Its designs, created by engraver Thomas Pesendorfer, pay tribute to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and have remained unchanged since the beginning. Only the face value has evolved: expressed in Austrian schillings until 2001, it has been in euros since the arrival of the single currency in 2002. It is now one of the best-selling investment gold coins in Europe.

How to identify a gold Philharmonic?

The obverse depicts the Great Organ in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, the orchestra's concert hall in Vienna, with the inscriptions "REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH", "1/2 UNZE GOLD 999.9", the year, and the face value. The reverse shows an array of the orchestra's instruments: a cello surrounded by violins, a Viennese horn, a bassoon, and a harp, with the inscription "WIENER PHILHARMONIKER".

Verification is based on the weight (15.55 g), diameter (28 mm), thickness (1.6 mm), and the sharpness of the engraving and the reeded edge. As pure gold is soft, light handling marks are common and have no effect on its investment value. Our experts perform these checks on every coin before it is put up for sale.

Why invest in the 1/2 oz Philharmonic?

• 999.9 pure gold: half an ounce of fine gold, without alloy.
• An intermediate format: 15.55 g of fine gold, for investing without locking up the price of a full ounce.
• Flexible resale: two half-ounces make it possible to sell half of your gold without selling everything.
• A sovereign coin: minted by the Austrian Mint, it is known to dealers throughout Europe.

A "bankable" verified Philharmonic, ready for resale

The 1/2 oz Philharmonic is sold for the gold it contains. Its price tracks the gold spot price, plus an investment premium. As investment gold, it is exempt from VAT in Belgium.

• "Bankable" verified: each coin is checked by our experts (authenticity, weight, fineness). It has no defects that would prevent its resale as investment gold: no holes, solder, traces of mountings, knocks, or excessive wear.
• Ready for resale: the day you sell it, it will be accepted for buyback as investment gold, based on its fine gold weight. We guarantee to buy it back at any time.

Year and condition of your 1/2 oz Philharmonic

This product is sold as "various years": the vintage and the face value unit (schillings or euros) vary from one coin to another and cannot be chosen. These are circulated coins that have already had one or more owners: slight signs of wear or patina are normal and have no effect on their investment value, which is calculated based on their fine gold weight. Non-contractual photo.

How to store your gold Philharmonics?

To ensure a gold coin retains its full resale value, a few simple precautions are enough:

• handle it by the edge, ideally with cotton gloves;
• never clean it: cleaning agents and friction scratch the gold and can complicate resale;
• store it in an individual capsule or case, away from humidity and shocks;
• keep your purchase invoice, which is useful at the time of resale.

Frequently asked questions about the 1/2 oz Philharmonic

How much gold does the 1/2 oz Philharmonic contain?

It contains half a troy ounce of fine gold, or 15.55 g, at 999.9 fineness. It is this weight of gold that serves as the basis for its purchase and resale price.

Is a Philharmonic in schillings worth as much as a coin in euros?

Yes. Only the face value unit changed in 2002: the weight and purity of the gold are identical, and both versions trade based on their fine gold content.

Can I choose the year of the Philharmonic?

No. This product is sold as various years: you will receive a 1/2 oz Philharmonic selected from our stock, which always contains half an ounce of fine gold.

Is the 1/2 oz Philharmonic subject to VAT?

No. In Belgium, as in the entire European Union, the 1/2 oz Philharmonic is classified as investment gold, which is exempt from VAT.