Austria 2002 Austria Through the Ages: Prince Eugen of Savoy 20 Euro Silver Coin

Description:

The sixth issue of the Austrian Mint’s “Austria Through the Ages” coin series features the Baroque Period, an era in Western European art that lasted from approximately 1600 through 1750. One of the nation’s leading figures during this period was Prince Eugen of Savoy. Eugen was born in Paris on October 18, 1663 and was bred for a career in the church. However, he became an Imperial Army general and a statesman of the Holy Roman Empire and the Archduchy of Austria, becoming one of the most celebrated military commanders in European history.

Eugen served the Holy Roman Emperors Leopold I, Joseph I, and Charles VI, and earned a reputation as a military great and diplomat during the first decades of the 1700s, helping Europe avert onslaughts from the Turkish Ottoman Empire. He died in Vienna on April 21, 1736 at the age of 72.

The commemorative 2002 Prince Eugen 20-euro silver proof coin measures 34 millimeters in diameter, weighs 20 grams, and contains 0.5787 ounces of silver. Issued on September 11, 2002, 50,000 pieces were minted.

Obverse:

The obverse theme is the Baroque period (approximately 1600-1700), showing the Grand Staircase in the palace of Prince Eugene, now known as the Austrian Ministry of Finance, in Vienna. A statue of Hercules, standing in a niche where the staircase turns, looks on in the background as gods and demigods support the stairwell in the foreground. REPUBLIK OSTERREICH is inscribed along the upper-left third of the coin along the rim, while the date, 2002, is expressed in small font below the Hercules niche. The denomination, 20 EURO, is superimposed upon the stairs in the foreground.

Reverse:

A uniformed three-quarters bust of Prince Eugen, similar in appearance to his equestrian statue in Hofburg Palace in Vienna, consumes the rightmost two-thirds of the reverse. A 1663-1736 dual-dating feature, signifying his dates of birth and death, occupies a small area of open field in two lines to the right of the prince’s head and the right-center rim. The words PRINZ EUGEN v. SAVOYEN are written along the upper left area of coin along the rim. A ceremonial Baroque arrangement of cannons and flags anchor the left third of the reverse.

Designer(s): Andreas Zanaschka is a designer and engraver at the Austrian Mint. Thomas Pesendorfer’s (View Designer’s Profile) coin designs continue to capture the spirit and culture of Austria.

Coin Specifications:

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