The Most Beautiful: Coins in Vienna. Selected by Curators of the Coin Collection
10Gold bar, after AD 379, Sirmium. RÖ 37443. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
Such gold bars were exclusively intended for transport within the financial administration. Unlike today, not their weight but their fineness was guaranteed.
Such gold bars were exclusively intended for transport within the financial administration. Unlike today, not their weight but their fineness was guaranteed.
09Constans (333/337–350) wearing the clothing of a consul Double solidus, after AD 340, Sisak. RÖ 37372. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
The trabea, a splendidly embroidered robe, was worn by consuls at the assumption of office; his right hand is raised in greeting, in the left hand, he holds a (celestial) globe.
The trabea, a splendidly embroidered robe, was worn by consuls at the assumption of office; his right hand is raised in greeting, in the left hand, he holds a (celestial) globe.
08Constantine the Great (306–337) as Sol Aureus, AD 317, Sisak. RÖ 26289. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
Constantine portrays himself as sun god Sol; what appears to be a halo is in fact the solar disc.
Constantine portrays himself as sun god Sol; what appears to be a halo is in fact the solar disc.
07Quadruple gold gulden of the 14th century MK 12846aα. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
A quadruple gold gulden was made on behalf of Pilgrim II von Puchheim, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg (1365–1396). This unique piece weighing about 15 grams is considered the heaviest gold coin of medieval times.
A quadruple gold gulden was made on behalf of Pilgrim II von Puchheim, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg (1365–1396). This unique piece weighing about 15 grams is considered the heaviest gold coin of medieval times.
06Small pieces of art of the Romantic era MK 177517. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
The image repertoire of “Dünnpfennigs” from the Danube countries of the 12th century is very imaginative. This pfennig from Krems struck in the time around 1120, for example, features ancient hero Heracles fighting the Nemean lion.
The image repertoire of “Dünnpfennigs” from the Danube countries of the 12th century is very imaginative. This pfennig from Krems struck in the time around 1120, for example, features ancient hero Heracles fighting the Nemean lion.
05At the dawn of Middle Ages MK 191161. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
Frankish king Theudebert I (534–548) was the first Germanic prince to mint gold coins featuring his own name and not – as usual – the name of the emperor of the Eastern Roman empire.
Frankish king Theudebert I (534–548) was the first Germanic prince to mint gold coins featuring his own name and not – as usual – the name of the emperor of the Eastern Roman empire.
04Maria Theresa (1740–1780), 10 ducats 1751, Vienna. MK 995bα. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
While most 10 ducat pieces are off-metal strikes from taler dies, special dies featuring the face value were engraved for this coin.
While most 10 ducat pieces are off-metal strikes from taler dies, special dies featuring the face value were engraved for this coin.
03Leopold I (1657–1705), 10 ducats 1694, Cluj-Napoca. MK 807bα. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
The crescent-shaped, Transylvanian klippe and its counterpart in the shape of a star are some of the most striking coins in the collection of modern pieces.
The crescent-shaped, Transylvanian klippe and its counterpart in the shape of a star are some of the most striking coins in the collection of modern pieces.
02Michael I Apafi (1661–1690), 100 ducats 1677, Fogaras. MK 68bβ. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
This impressive coin was a diplomatic gift of the Transylvanian prince to emperor Leopold I and was one of the largest gold coins of its time.
This impressive coin was a diplomatic gift of the Transylvanian prince to emperor Leopold I and was one of the largest gold coins of its time.
01Ivan VI (1740–1741), rouble 1740, St. Petersburg. MK 8733bα. © Münzkabinett, KHM.
Ivan VI was proclaimed Emperor of Russia when he was still a new-born in 1740 and overthrown just one year later. This rouble was the first one minted on his behalf and is one of the most expensive silver coins of early modern Europe.
Ivan VI was proclaimed Emperor of Russia when he was still a new-born in 1740 and overthrown just one year later. This rouble was the first one minted on his behalf and is one of the most expensive silver coins of early modern Europe.
The Coin Collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna presents itself as a giant iceberg – only the “tip” of its about 600,000 objects can be seen online. Of all the visible and not visible exhibits, we asked curators Anna Fabiankowitsch, Johannes Hartner and Klaus Vondrovec what their favourite pieces are. To be among the selected objects, a coin doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive – it has to be unique, of historic importance etc.
And here you can access the website of the Coin Collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
