Description
Each of these 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coins was originally issued by the Austrian Mint in 1976. The year of issue and the face value of 1,000 Schillings were both a nod to the Babenberg Dynasty. 1976 marked the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of that dynasty and the face value was set for the coin based upon that celebratory date.
The House of Babenberg was a noble dynasty in Austria that originated in present-day Bavaria, Germany. The dynasty of Austrian margraves and dukes ruled Austria from its creation in 967 through the region’s elevation to a duchy, and then until the final year of the Babenbergs in 1246. All of these 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coins represent the first-ever gold coins struck by the Austrian Mint in this denomination and metal.
On the obverse of the 1000 Schilling Austrian Gold Coin is a depiction of the Imperial Eagle of Austria. The bird features the Austrian shield on its chest while it grips a hammer in its left talon and a sickle in its right talon. Engravings include the nation of issue as Republik Osterreich and the face value.
The reverse of these 1000 Schilling Gold Coins features the seal of Duke Friedrich II. His seal featured a knight on horseback that carried a pennant and a spear. Engravings encircling the seal include the commemorative dates of 976 and 1976, denoting the start of the Babenberg Dynasty and the 1,000th anniversary of that date. The words Babenberg Dynasty are engraved as well in German.
