2019-08-19 Mon

Austria released the second coin from the country's five-coin series called “Knight’s Tales” that celebrates the 825th anniversary of the Mint of Austria and highlights the brutal wars and brave warriors from the medieval period. The latest coin honours the valour of Godfrey of Bouillon and symbolises the spirit of adventure according to the new theme. Helmut Andexlinger, Herbert Wahner, and Kathrin Kuntner designed the coins. The obverse side shows a portrait of Godfrey, the cross of Jerusalem, denomination 10 EURO, and the text REPUBLIC OSTERREICH 2019. The reverse side shows the dubbing ceremony where knighthood is being offered by a king to a squire who is kneeling.

Born in 1060, Godfrey of Bouillon joined the First Crusade in 1095. He and other crusaders marched along the Rhine and Danube rivers through different routes and finally came together in Constantinople. According to historians, the army comprised of 50,000 men, out of which 7,000 were knights. After three long years of battle, the remaining crusaders reached Jerusalem in 1099. They captured the Jerusalem Citadel and killed most of its residents. Baldwin I was appointed by Godfrey of Bouillon as the first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the Southern Levant. He was the first Edessa from 1098 to 1100. The kingdom prospered for a long time from 1099 until 1291. Godfrey of Bouillon died in Jerusalem in 1100 and was the first to use the cross of Jerusalem in his personal crest. The kingdom’s coat of arms depicts a golden cross on a silver background with a smaller Greek cross each in the four sections. The Kingdom of Jerusalem lost its status as an independent territory over a period of time but the title of King of Jerusalem is inherited even today through ceremonies and symbolism. King Felipe VI of Spain holds the title today since 2015 after his father, King Juan Carlos abdicated the throne.

The 15 grams 10 euro Copper Uncirculated coin has a diameter of 32 mm and a mintage limit of 130,000. The 16.8 grams .925 Silver Brilliant Unc coin has a diameter of 32 mm and a mintage limit of 30,000 pieces. The 16.8 grams .925 Silver proof coin has a diameter of 32 mm and a mintage limit of 30,000 pieces. Sale of these coins would start on 11th September but pre-orders have already begun. The copper Uncirculated coins can be bought for their face value from the Mint of Austria and other commercial banks. The silver Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof can be ordered from the official website.

Image Courtesy: Mint of Austria