1749) Austria: "Fortitude - Knight's Tales": The Fourth Coin in a five-Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint, features the "Knights Hospitallers" (Order of St. John): Coin issue Date: 09/2020:

1749) Austria: "Fortitude - Knight's Tales": The Fourth Coin in a five-Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint, features the "Knights Hospitallers" (Order of St. John): Coin issue Date: 09/2020:

This Collector Album will present the Middle Ages and the World of Knights through detailed illustrations and in-depth historical information.

A rigorously researched, historically accurate and visually enthralling guide to both the darkness and light of the Middle Ages (which was a dangerous chapter in European history), the five coin album will look at everyday life, childhood and youth during the Middle Ages.

It will also explain the medieval monetary system, the Crusades, the importance of castles and fortresses and the concept of chivalry. In the Age of Chivalry, high-born warriors known as knights rode into battle on horseback dressed in full armour. The Code of Chivalry was a combination of the warrior ethos, piety, nobility and gallantry. The Coin Series is like a travel back in time to a bygone age that was notorious for being bloody and brutal.

The battle skills of knights will also be explained, as will be songs and ballads that were popular at that time, not to mention the link between Robin Hood and the huge ransom paid for the release of King Richard "The Lionheart" of England in 1194 AD to Austria. The coins included in this series offer an insight into the knights on their journeys of adventure and discover the romance of knighthood through the love songs of minstrels. 

The Album/Coin Series will contain amazing facts and detailed well-known historical facts.

The five coins will highlight the following aspects of European Knights:

CHIVALRY - Coin issue date: 10.04.2019

ADVENTURE - Coin issue date: 11.09.2019

COURAGE - Coin issue date: 15.04.2020

FORTUTUDE - September 2020

BROTHERHOOD - April 2021

I have already written posts on the first three coins, which can be accessed at the following links:

a) 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

b) Austria: "Adventures of the first Crusade - Knights Tales": The second coin in the 5-Coin Series to be issued by the Austrian Mint, features Godfrey of Buillion (1060-1100 AD), one of the leaders of the First Crusade and the coin's theme is "Spirit of Adventure" Coin issue date: 11.09.2019"

c) Austria: "Courage - Knights Tales": The Third Coin in a five-Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint, features the "Knights Templars": Coin issue date: 15.04.2020

d) Austria: "Fortitude - Knight's Tales": The Fourth Coin in a five-Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint, features the Knights Hospitallers"(Order of St. John): Coin issue Date: 09/2020

The fourth coin in the Series, focussess on the theme "Fortitude" through the "Order of St. John", (or "Hospitallars"):

The eight-pointed white cross on a red background is instantly recognisable as the logo of the Order of St John. The origins of this charitable organisation, which oversees the St John Ambulance organisation worldwide, go back to a knightly order known as the Order of Knights of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. The courage in adversity shown by the ‘Hospitallers’, as the Order’s members were known, is symbolic of fortitude, the pillar of knighthood to which the fourth coin in the Knights’ Tales series is dedicated.

Founded in Jerusalem in 1099 by Benedictine Brother Gerard Tum to provide care for sick, poor and injured pilgrims in the Holy Land, the Hospitallers had a major influence on the development of western hospitals. But in addition to its charitable and religious functions, the Order soon developed an entrepreneurial and military role, with the first armed brothers appearing among the Order’s ranks in 1130.

The Hospitallers provided military escort to pilgrims and, from 1136, the Order gained control of numerous important fortresses in the Holy Land.

The eight-pointed cross is a symbol of the struggle against sickness and loneliness, homelessness and hunger, unkindness and neglect, among other things. The cross features on the Order’s Coat of Arms, which is held on the coin’s obverse by a heraldic hippocamp, a mythical creature that was half horse, half fish and originated in Greek mythology. 

Knights of the Order of St John appear on both the obverse and the reverse of Fortitude, one with sword drawn, the other haggling with a trader at a market stall. 

The Coin:

The Obverse of the 10 Euro Coin show a member of the Order of St. John providing an escort to travellers, ready for battle, sword in hand. 

Towards the upper periphery is mentioned the denomination of the coin - "10 EURO". Towards the lower periphery is inscribed - "REPUBLIK OSTERREICH" (meaning "Republic of Austria") and the year of issue - "2020.

The Reverse of the 10 Euro Coin shows a knight haggling with a trader at a market stall.

The Coin has been issued in three variants - Copper (Uncirculated), Silver (Brilliant Uncirculated) and Silver (Proof):

The specifications of the Copper variant are:

Coin Series theme: Knight's Tales"; Denomination: 10 Euro; Metal Composition: Copper; Weight: 15.0 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.0 mm; Coin Quality: Uncirculated; Maximum Mintage:130,000 pieces; Minted by: Austrian Mint, Vienna; Year: 2020; Date of issue: 15.04.2020; Designers: Anna Rastl, Kathrin Kuntner.

                    

    The Obverse  of the Silver variants

                The Reverse of the Silver Coin 

Thespecifications of the Silver variants are:

Coin Series theme: Knight's Tales; Denomination: 10 Euro; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 16.82 grams; Diameter/Size: 32.0 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) and Proof (P); Maximum Mintage:30,000 pieces & 30,000 pieces; Minted by: Austrian Mint, Vienna; Year: 2020; Date of issue: 15.04.2020; Designers: Anna Rastl, Kathrin Kuntner.

The Silver Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) version is presented in a blister pack with illustrations and informative text.

The Proof coin is presented in a custom case along with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity(COA). In addition to the technical information, the COA also explains the design concept and minting quality.

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

1) Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig: Celebrating the 275th Anniversary: A 20 Euro Uncirculated silver Coin issued by the Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Federal Republic of Germany) on 08.03.2018

2) Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss: A 10 Mark German banknote issued commemorating his contributions in 1990 which was in circulation till 2001 

3) Planet Earth: The World's first "Tri-material" Coin - with an outer ring, inner core and an embossable blue polymer ring: An innovative 5 Euro Polymer coin issued by the Federal Republic of Germany in 2016

4) The Tropics Climate Zone (Climates of Earth) Coin Series: The second "tri-material Coin - with an outer ring,inner core and an embossable red polymer ring: Innovative Coin issued by the Federal Republic of Germany on 27.04.2017

5) Sub-Tropical Climate Zone: ("Climate Zones of Earth Coin Series"): The second "tri-material" Coin in the Series - with an outer ring, inner core and an embossable orange polymer ring, innovative coin issued by the Federal Republic of Germany on 26.04.2018

6) In the Air: A 10 Euro Coin: The first Coin in the 3 coin Bimetal/Polymer coin "Tri-material" Coin Series titled "Air Moves", to be issued in April 2019

7) Temperate Climate Zone: (Climates of Earth Coin Series): The third "tri-material" Coin in the Series - with an outer ring, inner core and an embossable green polymer ring: Innovative coin being issued by the Federal Republic of Germany in September 2019

8) Graf Zeppelin: A 20 Dollar Silver coin and a 5 Dollar Gold Coin issued by Cook Islands in April 2017 to commemorate the 100th Death Anniversary of Count Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August von Zeppelin (08.07.1838 - 08.03.1917)

9) A "Hundert Mark" (Hundred Mark) Reichbanknote dated 1st November 1920 tells a tale of a time when hyperinflation was rampant in Germany after World War I

10) 100th Anniversary of the Weimar Constitution: A 20 Euro Silver Coin issued by the German Federal Government: Coin Minted by the Berlin Mint: Year of issue: 2019:

11) "An Land" (On The Land): A 10 Euro Coin: The second "Tri-material" Coin in the Series titled "Air Moves" - with an outer ring, inner core and an embossable polymer ring: Innovative coin issued by the Federal Republic of Germany in 2020

12) "Frau Holle", Federal Republic of Germany: The latest issue of 20 Euro Silver Coins in the on-going Grimm Brother's Fairy Tales Coin Series" minted by the Mint of Stuttgart: Date of Coin issue: 21.01.2021

13) "Die Sendung mit der Maus" (or "The Show with the Mouse"), Federal Republik of Germany: "50th Anniversary milestone (1971-2021): 20 Euro Silver and Coloured Coins issued to celebrate 50 years of "The Show with the Mouse": Date of Coins Release: 25.02.2021

Germania Mint issues:

1) Fafnir, the Ancestor of Dragons - Germanian Mythology, Germania (Germany): A 10 Mark Silver Coin depicts the Dragon extending on both faces of the Coin: Year of Coin issue: 2020

2) "Italia and Germania", Germania: Third Coin in the "Allegories Coin Series" minted by the Germania Mint: Year of Coin issue: 2020

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

1) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: First Coin: "700 Years of Hall City in Tirol or Tyrol"

2) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Second Coin: "150 Years of Semmering Alpine Railway"

3) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Third Coin: "50 Years of Television in Austria" 

4) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Fourth Coin: "European Satellite Navigation System"

5) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Fifth Coin: "Austrian Aviators"

6) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Sixth Coin "Fascinating Light"

7) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Seventh Coin: " The International Year of Astronomy"

8) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Eighth Coin: "Renewable Energy"

9) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Ninth Coin: "Robotics"

10) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Tenth Coin: "Bionics"

11) The 25 Euro Silver-Niobium Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint: Eleventh Coin: "Tunnel Construction"

12) The 50 Euro Gold Coin Series: Klimt and his Women: 2012-2016  (includes Coin of the Year 2015 (COTY)

13) Sigmund Freud: The Vienna Schools of Psychotherapy A 3 Coin 50 Euro Gold Coin Series:

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

Knights Tales Coin Series:

17 a) 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

17 b) Austria: "Adventures of the first Crusade - Knights Tales": The second coin in the 5-Coin Series to be issued by the Austrian Mint, features Godfrey of Buillion (1060-1100 AD), one of the leaders of the First Crusade and the coin's theme is "Spirit of Adventure" Coin issue date: 11.09.2019"

17 c) Austria: "Courage - Knights Tales": The Third Coin in a five-Coin Series issued by the Aystrian Mint, features the "Knights Templars": Coin issue date: 15.04.2020

17 d) Austria: "Fortitude - Knight's Tales": The Fourth Coin in a five-Coin Series issued by the Austrian Mint, features the Knights Hospitallars"(Order of St. John): Coin issue Date: 09/2020

Magic of Gold Coin Series:

18) a) "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

18) b) The Gold of the Pharaohs, Austria: "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: Second Coin in the Series depicts Tutenkhamun's Mummy's face mask and his father Akhnetan: Year of Coin issue: 2020

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

22) Hedy Lemarr, Austria:" Austrian Inventions" Stamp Series: A postage stamp brought out by Austrian Post honours the contribution to the "Frequency Hopping Spread spectrum" which aided the Allies to steer torpedoes in World War II: Stamp issue date: 221.01.2020

23) "Vocklabrucker Christus" - St. Giles Church, Vocklabruck, Austria: "Religious Art in Austria" Stamp Series: Date of Stamp issue: 06.03.2020

24) Brigette Kowanz, Austria: "Opportunity - An illuminating Message": A stamp issue in the "Contemporary Art in Austria" Series: Date of Stamp issue: 17.03.2020

25) 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 os Coin issue: 11.03.2020

_{^{26) "Ancient Postal Routes - Historical Postal Routes Thurn & Taxis", Austria" Stamp issue date: 06.05.2020}}

_{^{27) Airbus A380, Austria: Third Coin in the coin Series titled: "Toward The Skies": A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin minted by the Mint of Austria: Date of Coin issue: 13.05.2020}}

_{^{28) 125 Years of Swarovski, The Great Sparkle, Austria: A postage stamp of 4.30 Euro issued by Osterreichische Post AG (Austrian Post) celebrating the milestone: Date of Stamp issue: 18.07.2020}}

_{^{29) Uhudler Wine, Austria: A postage stamp brought out by Oesterreichische Post AG (Austrian Post), celebrating the world-famous wine on 19.09.2020}}

_{^{30) "ORF Light of Peace from Bethlehem,"" Joint issue by "Seterreichische Post AG (Austrian Post) and "Ufficio Filetelica e Numismatico Vaticano"(Vatican City Post): Stamps issue date: 20.11.2020}}

_{^{31) The "Rainbow Serpent" (Serpent Creator - Australia), Austria: A 20 Euro Silver Coin minted by the Mint of Austria, Vienna depicting the Serpent that Aboriginal Australians consider as the "Creator of the World": Date of Coin issue: 04.01.2021}}

_{^{32) Janus, the Roman God, Austria: Osterreich Mint (Mint of Austria) has issued 5 Euro Copper Coin depicting the God who holds the key to Good Luck: Date of Coin issue:02.12.2020}}

_{^{33) WESTbahn, Austria: A 1.80 Euro Postage Stamp issued by Austrian Post commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the WESTbahn Railway Service: Date of Stamp issue: 11.02.2021}}

_{^{Alpine Treasures Coin Series:}}

_{^{1) Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria: "Alpine Treasures Coin Series": A 50 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Austrian Mint featuring the Golden Eagle, the High Peaks and the Braya Alpina Flower: Date of Coin issue: 12.02.2020}}

_{^{2) Kalkalpen National Forest, Austria: "Alpine Treasures Coin Series": The Second Coin in the Coin Series features the austrian Bellflower and the Mynx: A 50Euro Gold Coin minted by the Austrian Mint, Vienna: Date of Coin issue: 17.02.2021}}

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:

1) Did You Know Series (25) : The prestigious Krause Publications Annual World Coin Competition - Winners of the COTY 2015 and other 10 Category winners

2) Krause Publications Awards Coin of the Year and other Category winners - 2016

3) Coin of the Year and winners of the  sub-categories- 2017

For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:

1) Historic Sassi (meaning "The Stones of Matera"): (I Sassi di Matera Basilicata): "Italy of the Arts Series": (Serie Italia della Arti): A 10 Euro Proof Silver Coin issued by the "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca Della Stato" (IPZS) on 19.09.2017 

2) 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vatican City State (1929-2009): A Vatican Euro Coin Set depicting Pope Benedict XVI on the Obverse, issued by Vatican City Mint in 2009

3) Amatrice: "Art Treasures of Amartice", Italy: A 5 Euro Bimetallic Commemorative Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) on 06.08.2018

4) Marco Polo, Explorer, Italy (1254-8/9.01.1324): A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca di Stato, the Italian State Mint (2018)

5) Vespa, Italy: "Italian Excellence Collector Coin Series": A 5 Euro Silver Coin in three selectively coloured variants brought out by "Istituto Poligrafico Zecca della Stato (IPZS) on 12.04.2019

6) Israel-Vatican Joint Issue: Celebrating 25 Years of diplomatic relations between Israel & the Holy See: A Commemorative Stamp issued jointly by Israel Philatelic Service & the Holy See Numismatic Service/Vatican Post: Stamp issue date: 10.09.2019

7) Michelangelo's "Pieta", Vatican City: New Copper Coin Series titled "Art and Faithy": A 10 Euro Copper Coin minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of the "Ufficio Filatelico e Numismatico Governatorato della Cotta del Vaticano": Coin issue date: 05.03.2020

8) Ancient Postal Routes, Vatican City State: EUROPA 2020 Theme: Two stamps of 1.10 Euro and 1.15 Euro issued by the Ufficio filatelico e Numismatico -Governatorato, Vaticano featuring Ancient Postal Routes emanating from the Vatican City State during the 6th & 11th Centuries AD

9) The mystery of the Gold Medal which has not been minted by the Vatican, as confirmed by the Vatican Philatelic & Numismatic Division