Austria 25 Euro Silver Niobium Coin 2008, Fascination Light
The technology developed by Austrian lighting pioneer Carl Auer von Welsbach is still in use in billions of light bulbs around the world today. The stunning 2008 edition 25 euro silver niobium coin celebrates the 150th anniversary of his birth as well as one of the earliest recognised energy sources – light.
Born in Vienna in 1858, chemist and entrepreneur Carl Auer von Welsbach was one of the key figures in the development of the gas lamp. The obverse of this coin therefore shows, in exquisite detail, such a lamp being lit outside Vienna’s neo-gothic city hall. The coin’s striking green colour is achieved by heat treating and oxidising the niobium core and applying an extra finish prior to its striking. This process has provided engraver Herbert Wähner with a brighter, almost glowing background for his exquisitely engraved designs. The reverse depicts the sun, the ultimate source of light, a portrait of Carl Auer von Welsbach and, in the Sterling silver outer ring, the evolution of lighting technology.
With a maximum mintage of 65,000 pieces in Special Uncirculated quality only, the coin contains 9 grammes of 900 Fine silver in its outer ring and 6.5 grammes of 998 pure niobium.
Mint: Münze Österreich AG
quality: special uncirculated
collection: Silver-Niobium
face value: 25 Euro; Issue value: € 44.55
date of issue: 11.03.2008
coin design: Herbert Wähner
alloy: Silver-Niobium; ring: Silber Ag 900; pill: Niob Nb 99,8; fine weight: 9.00 g; total weight: 16.50 g.
Baron Carl Auer von Welsbach also known as Carl Auer, Freiherr von Welsbach (1 September 1858 – 4 August 1929) was an Austrian scientist and inventor who had a talent for not only discovering advances, but turning them into commercially successful products. He is particularly well known for his work on rare earth elements, which led to the development of the flint used in modern lighters, the gas mantle which brought light to the streets of Europe in the late 19th century, and the development of the metal filament light bulb.