One Ounce of Gold
Many countries now issue a one ounce bullion coin, to be sold at a very low premium over the intrinsic gold value.
The Austrian version is the Philharmonica or Philharmoniker, and was introduced in 1989, and is produced at the Austrian Mint in Vienna.
Its design celebrates the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, considered by many to be the finest in the world.
The gold used in the production of the Philharmonica coins is also, at .9999, the finest in the world!

Designs

Obverse The great organ in the Golden Hall in Vienna's concert hall (Musikverein) is the theme for the obverse side of the coin. This is the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Also featured on this side are the face value in Austrian Schillings plus the weight, fineness and year of issue.

Reverse
A harmonious design of musical instruments representing the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
WIENER PHILHARMONIKER

The Philharmonica Family Gold Philharmonicas are available in four different sizes and weights, from one ounce to one tenth of an ounce, as detailed below.

Low Premium Over Gold Content As with most one ounce gold bullion coins, they are made available to world bullion dealers at a 3% premium over the current gold fix, so that after distribution costs, the coins would be available to investors in quantity at about 4% to 5% over intrinsic gold values, and possibly 10% premium for single pieces.

Higher Premium on Smaller Sizes The fractional sizes were issued at higher premiums to bullion dealers of 5%, 7%, and 9% respectively. The fractional coins have never been as popular as the full one ounce coins, usually only being purchased as singles, so that in practice, it would usually cost 10% to 15% premium for the half and quarter ounce, and from 20% to 50% premium for the tenth ounce, most of which seem to have been used in jewellery. Most bullion houses do not want the bother of handling small quantities of low value coins.

VAT Free From January 2000 In Britain investment gold coins became VAT free.

Change to Euros From 2002 onwards the denomination or face value of the Philharmoniker series has been changed from Schillings to Euros.

Continuous Service from Chard Chard have maintained a dealing service for both collectors and investors in bullion and numismatic coins since 1964.

Technical Specifications
The following table summarises the specifications of all the sizes.

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order