IYA2009 Coins

This story is about the IYA2009 coin issued by the Austrian Mint. The Austrian Mint in Vienna has issued this coin in celebration of International Year of Astronomy 2009. The specialty of this coin is that this is made out of silver and niobium metals. This elegant coins is valued at 25 Euros.

The coin went on to the sale last March and was featured with the portrait of Galileo Galilei and his very own telescope. In the same side you can find the drawings of Moon's surface by Galileo and some accounts on the development of telescope during the course of time.

The official side, which is the opposite of what was described above is engraved with the other side of Lunar Surface, which Galileo was unable to observe, It also reads "Republik Österreich" in German together with the value printed as € 25.

The niobium pill covers the inner ring of the coin, as seen in golden yellow. It should also be mentioned that the Austrian Mint was the first to employ this modern metal (discovered in 1801) in commemorative coins, changing its color each year.

Here are some specifications of the Austrian IYA2009 coin.

Alloy:	Ring: 9 g AG 900/1000 Pill: 6.5 g niobium
Finish:	Special Uncirculated Quality
Diameter:	34 mm
Mintage:	65,000 (max)
Date of Issue:	11 March 2009
Face Value:	25 euro
Designer:	Herbert Wähner

Further Reading :

Something about Austrian Mint :-

The Austrian Mint is situated in the heart of Vienna and is the official minting authority for Austria with a 800 year history.

The Mint is the source for all Austrian Euro and Cent coins, whether they are intended for shopping, as an investment or for collection. Before the Euro, the Schilling and Groschen coins were minted, and before that – during the monarchy - Crowns, Guilders and Ducats were struck by the Austrian Mint.
The company is located close to the centre at the Vienna Stadtpark in a Biedermeier building erected under Emperor Ferdinand I. from 1835 to 1837. Today it accommodates one of the most modern mints in the world