Austria 100 Schilling Silver Coin 2000 Celtic coin - The Celts "Austria through the Ages" series
The "Austria through the Ages" series consist of eight Silver coins (Proof Only Issues) commemorating eight distinct time periods or major influences that have helped shape Austria's history (all of Europe's history too, for that matter). The first four coins issued in the series have the face value of 100 Schillings while the last four have a face value of 20 Euros.
They were minted with a limited production run of 50,000 specimens each. The specifications for all eight coins are the same with the exception of the denomination change after 2001. They are 0.900 Silver, weigh 18.00g and are 34.00mm in diameter. They are slightly larger than a US half-dollar (30.6mm) and slightly smaller than a US Silver dollar (38.1mm).
The first coin of this series is dedicated to the Celts who settled in the territory that would later become Austria. The Celts settled in areas all across Europe, from Ireland and Scotland down into Spain and the Balkans. Among other noteworthy accomplishments, the Celts were the first to strike coins on Austrian soil.
The obverse depicts a miner with a pick axe mining salt. A torch in the background provides light, and near him is a basket which will be used to carry out the "white gold". The inscription around the perimeter reads, "Republik Österreich - 100 Schilling - 2000".
The reverse is modeled after an actual Celtic coin and depicts a mounted warrior with helmet and spear. The word "ADNAMATI" (the name of a local Chieftain) is broken up around the coin as it appeared on the original. The two rings are issuing marks and the design is deliberately off-center which was fairly common with hand-struck coinage. The coin shows a beaded edge and was designed by Thomas Pesendorfer. It was first released on June 7, 2000.