The Magic of Gold: Austrian Mint launch new coin series

The Magic of Gold series will trace the 'mysterious nature' of gold in Ancient cultures. No other metal has as much symbolic meaning as gold and no other concrete substance has been linked with so many abstract concepts, including heavenliness, immortality, purity and power. The word ‘gold’ is written on each coin in the series in the respective script of the epoch and culture represented on it.

The series begins with Ancient Mesopotamia and a coin showing the legendary ruler King Nebuchadnezzar II (circa 640-562 BC) who, according to the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament, erected a huge golden statue and made his subjects worship it on bended knee.

The other side of the coin shows a bull’s head taken from a detail found on the Golden Lyre of Ur, which was discovered in 1929 in the Royal Cemetery of Ur, located in present day Iraq. Created roughly 4,500 years ago, the lyre is considered to be one of the world’s oldest surviving string instruments and it is of enormous significance for the Iraqi people and art enthusiasts all over the world.

This makes the fact that it was badly damaged during the Iraq War even more tragic. However, with the help of craftsmen and women from around the world, British music enthusiast Andy Lowing managed to produce a detailed copy of the original, so the sound of the instrument can be heard once again.

Coin details

For more information or to subscribe to the series, visit the Austrian Mint website.