Austria 20 Euro Silver Coin 2004 SMS Novara
The first coin in the silver series "Austria on the High Seas" is dedicated to the S.M.S. Novara.
Obverse: S.M.S Novara under sail in Chinese waters, denomination below
Reverse: Standing figures behind table with globe and microscope
Edge Description: Reeded
Note: First Global Circumnavigation by an Austrian ship.
Composition: Silver
Fineness: 0.9000
Weight: 20.0000g
ASW: 0.5787oz
Diameter: 34mm
The obverse shows the frigate S.M.S. Novara with sails set in Chinese waters during the circumnavigation from 1857 to 1859 The Novara was the first ship to circumnavigate the globe, and the last warship which brought about the circumnavigation under sail only (ie without steam drive). In the background you can see the coast of China and a Chinese junk. Gulls, always a sign of the proximity of land, circling above the ship. At the rear, proudly flies the flag of the Austrian Marine.Als upper edge is curved the title "circumnavigation of the SMS Novara 1857 - 1859". Right below the middle, with the year 2004, three lines are located at the bottom of editor country and nominal "REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA 20 EURO".
On the other side of the coin you can see a double portrait of Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, the Marine commander in chief and author of travel, and Commodore Bernhard von Wüllersdorf-Urbair, who commanded the Novara on her voyage of circumnavigation. On the table in front of them a globe and navigational instruments and a microscope are shown, since the journey of science and research diente.Am upper edge there is the word "ERZHERZOG FERDINAND MAX * BERNHARD VON WÜLLERSTORF-URBAIR".
SMS Novara was a sail frigate of the Austro-Hungarian Navy most noted for sailing the globe for the Novara Expedition of 1857–1859 and, later for carrying Archduke Maximilian and wife Carlota to Veracruz in May 1864 to become Emperor and Empress of Mexico.
Novara Expedition
The Novara Expedition (1857–1859) was the first large-scale scientific, around-the-world mission of the Austrian Imperial war navy. Authorized by Archduke Maximillian, the journey lasted 2 years 3 months, from 30 April 1857 until 30 August 1859.
The expedition was accomplished by the frigate Novara, under the command of Kommodore Bernhard von Wüllerstorf-Urbair, with 345 officers and crew, plus seven (7) scientists aboard. Preparation for the research journey was made by the "Imperial Academy of Sciences in Vienna" and by specialized scholars under direction of the geologist Ferdinand von Hochstetter and the zoologist Georg von Frauenfeld. The first coca plant (cocaine) investigations, in particular on St. Paul Island, the Nicobar Islands, and on New Zealand (first geological mapping by Hochstetter), created the bases for future geological research. The oceanographic research, in particular in the South Pacific, revolutionized oceanography and hydrography.
The collections of botanical, zoological (26,000 preparations), and cultural material brought back enriched the Austrian museums (especially the natural-history museum). They were also studied by Johann Natterer, a scientist who collected Vienna museum specimens during 18 years in South America. The geomagnetic observations made throughout the whole expedition significantly increased the scientific knowledge in this field.
The results of the research journey were compiled into a 21-binder report of the Viennese Academy of Sciences, titled "Reise der österreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde (1861–1876)" ("journey of the Austrian frigate Novara around the earth"). Also published were many woodcuts under the same title (in 3 volumes, by K. Scherzer 1864–1866).
The Novara-Expedition report included a drawing of the frigate SMS Novara surrounded by an oval border with the names of locations visited: Gibraltar, Madeira, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, St. Paul island, Ceylon, Madras, Nicobar Islands, Singapore, Batavia, Manila, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Puynipet island, Stuarts, Sydney (5 November 1858), Auckland, Tahiti, Valparaíso, Gravosa, and Triest (returning on 26 August 1859).
Baron Bernhard von Wüllerstorf-Urbair, also: von Wüllersdorf-Urbair or von Wüllerstorf und Urbair, (29 January 1816 – 10 August 1883) was an Austrian vice admiral and, from 1865 to 1867, (k.k.) Austrian Imperial Minister of Trade. He was captain of the frigate SMS Novara, including during the world voyage (Novara-Expedition) in 1857-1859.