2018-03-17 Sat

Austrian Mint is soon going to release the third coin named "Clemency and Faith" from its Empress Maria Theresa series. The coin depicts the only female ruler to ever reign over Habsburg Empire wearing a widow’s veil. Maria Theresa’s husband Francis I died suddenly in 1765. Like the other coins in this series, this one too has been issued based on the medals that were released under the Empress. The coin has an extra-bold relief, giving it an antique look.

Maria Theresa wore the veil for all her life after that unfortunate event. She also converted the room in which he died, in the Hofburg in Innsbruck into a chapel. The portrait of Maria Theresa is taken from a relief by Anton Guillemard (1747-1812). A female figure representing Clemency is shown offering her hand to a fallen soldier on the reverse.

2017 marked the 300th birth anniversary of Empress Maria Theresa. The four-coin special series symbolises the four cardinal virtues of Courage, Justice, Clemency, and Prudence that the empress believed in. The coins depict original motifs of medals issued during Maria Theresa’s 40-year reign (1740-1780). Each coin features a different portrait of the Empress: as a young woman; a wife; a widow; and with her successor, Joseph II.

The Proof quality 20 euro 925 grams silver coin in extra-bold relief has a mintage limit of 30,000 pieces. The coin is enclosed in a beautiful case with a numbered certificate of authenticity. The coin has a wholesale price of € 41.50 and a retail price of € 49.50 including VAT.

Image Courtesy: Austrian Mint