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Sunday 29 March 2020

1290) Lipizzaner Horses - "Friends For Life", Austria: 5 Euro Coins in Copper and Silver minted by the Austrian Mint as an Easter Celebration, depict Lipizzaner horses from the iconic Spanish Riding School in Vienna: Date of Coin issue: 11.03.2020:

1290) Lipizzaner Horses - "Friends For Life", Austria: 5 Euro Coins in Copper and Silver minted by the Austrian Mint as an Easter Celebration, depict  Lipizzaner horses from the iconic Spanish Riding School in Vienna: Date of Coin issue: 11.03.2020:

Few animals have had a bigger impact on humans than the horse. Its power, beauty and sensitivity make the horse one of the most beloved members of the animal kingdom, not least among young female riders, many of whom form a profound and enduring bond with their loyal steed. The "Easter Coin 2020" by the Austrian Mint, celebrates this unique bond.

From being the subject of countless prehistoric cave paintings, to the leading form of human transportation for more than five millennia, the horse has played an unparalleled role in the development of society. 

The Reverse of the Silver 5 Euros Coin shown against a background of a mare and her foal amidst spring flowers in the meadows. The Banner is titled "FREUNDE FURS LEBEN" (meaning "Friends For Life")

The Lipizzaner Horse Breed featured on this Coin:

The most iconic of all European horse breeds is the Lipizzaner, made world famous through its connection with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Originally from Slovenia, the Lipizzaner has been bred since 1920 at the stud farm at Piber in the Austrian province of Styria, where some 40 foals come into the world every year.

Within minutes of their birth, the new foals can stand and, though initially unsteady, are soon galloping joyfully across the alpine meadows.

Excerpted from a book titled "A Concise Guide to Horses and Ponies" by Corrine Clark, in my personal library:

"Although the Lipizzaner originates from Slovenia, it is now firmly associated with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna - "Spanish" because it features Spanish horses.

The Lipizzaner was first developed at a stud farm at Lipica (formerly Lipizza) in Slovenia, which was founded in 1580 by Archduke Charles II, son of the Austrian emperor Ferdinand I. Here Andalusians and Barbs were crossed with local horses - which although small, were tough with a high-stepping gait. The Lipizzaner is almost invariably grey, but foals are born dark brown or black and their coat lightens as they grow older. However, some do remain dark and traditionally there is one bay at the Spanish Riding School. 

Its height is about 15-16 hands and its temperament is intelligent, willing and good-natured. It has a large attractive head on a short crested neck, deep chest, sloping shoulders, compact body, powerful rounded quarters and a well-set tail.

The best horses are trained to appear at the school, performing amazing feats of horsemanship - the renowned "airs above the ground". 

However, the Lipizzaner is also popular as a dressage horse, and some animals are used on the farm and for general riding.

The Coin:

The Obverses and Reverses of the two Coins - Copper and Silver placed together 

The Reverse and Obverse of the Silver 5 Euro Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Coin placed together

The Reverse of the Coin shows a foal in the foreground frolicking through a meadow, while its mother keeps a watchful eye close behind. The lower part of the Coin is decorated with an assortment of spring flowers.

The Obverse of the Coin shows the Coat of Arms of the nine Federal Provinces of Austria.

The peripheral inscriptions on this face are - "REPUBLIK OSTERREICH. EURO" (meaning "Republic of Austria"). In the centre is the denomination of the coin - "5" (Euros).

The specifications of this Silver Coin are:

Theme/Occasion: Easter; Denomination: 5 Euros; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 7.78 grams (or 0.25 Oz); Total Weight: 8.41 grams; Diameter/Size: 28.50 mm;  Coin Quality: Uncirculated (U) and Brilliant/Special  Unirculated (B/SU); Mintage: (U) - 200,000 pieces, (B/SU) - 50,000 pieces; Coin Designers: Mag. Helmut Andexlinger, Herbert Wahner, Kathrin Kuntner; Year of issue: 2020; Packaging: Coin comes in a special vacuum-sealed blister pack folder with colourful images and an informative narrative in German and English.

The Reverse and Obverse of the 5 Euro Uncirculated Copper Coin placed together

The design features and the inscriptions are identical to the above Silver Coin.

The specifications of this Copper Coin are:

Theme/Occasion: Easter; Denomination: 5 Euros; Metal Composition: Copper; Total Weight: 8.90 grams; Diameter/Size: 28.50 mm; Coin Quality: Proof & Uncirculated; Mintage: Uncirculated - 200,000 pieces, Proof 50,000 pieces; Coin Designers: Mag. Helmut Andexlinger, Herbert Wahner, Kathrin Kuntner; Year of issue: 2020; Remarks: Coin comes without packaging.








Links to posts on Austrian Mint Coin issues on this blog:






14) Alfred Adler: The Vienna schools of Psychotherapy: A 3 coin 50 Euro Gold Coin Series:


15) The 100th Anniversary of the General Theory of Relativity by Albert Einstein: Gold and Silver Coins issued by the Royal Mint of Belgium in denominations of 50 Euro (Gold) and 10 Euro (Silver)

16) 825 Years of the Vienna Mint (1194-2018): A Silver Bullion Coin issued by the Austrian Mint, Vienna celebrating the milestone (issuedate: 12/12 - with year of issue engraved as 2019

17) Austria: "Chivalry- Knights Tales": The first Coin in a 5 Coin Series to be issued by the Austrian Mint, features Maximilian I (1459-1519): 500th Anniversary of the passing away of the Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria: Issue Date: 10.04.2019

18) "The Magic of Gold Coin Series" from the Mint of Austria: The Gold Coin Series of 100 Euro Gold Coins traces the mysterious nature of gold in ancient cultures: First Coin in the Series depicts King Nebuchadnezzar II (640 B.C. - 562 B.C.): Coin issue date: 16.10.2019

19) "Reaching For The Skies" Austria: First Coin in the series of four Silver Coins brought out by the Mint of Austria (Osterreich Mint): Coin Issue Date: 23.01.2019

20) The Wiener Musikverein, Vienna, Austria: 150th Anniversary of the opening of the legendary Musikverein Concert Hall in 1870: Two 5 Euro Commemorative New Year 2020 dated Coins being issued by the Austrian Mint - one in Silver and the other in Copper on 04.12.2019

21) 100 Years of the Salzburg Festival, Austria (1920-2020): Austrian Post has issued a postage stamp celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamp issue: 21.01.2020




For posts on COTY (Coin of the Year) winners since 2015 in a competition held by Krause Publications of Germany, please visit the following links:

Links to posts on Federal Republic of Germany issues and other posts on this blog:





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