|
Austria Honors Empress Line
 | By World Coin News
September 24, 2008 |
The Empress Elisabeth West Railway from Vienna to Salzburg is the fourth railway to be commemorated on a silver coin from the Austrian Mint. Its availability was announced Sept. 10.
The obverse of the new silver 20 euro coin shows the locomotive 306 steaming across an iron railway bridge. The bridge is held up with brick supports and a criss-cross structure of iron girders. The abbreviation "kkStB" stands for Imperial-Royal State Railways (kaiserlich-königliche Staatsbahnen), later known as the Austrian State Railways. This side of the coin also displays the country of issue "Republik Oesterreich," the face value and the year of issue.
The reverse depicts the platform hall of the West Railway Station in Vienna. A train has just arrived and the passengers begin to disembark. A railway official stands with a timetable in hand to assist passengers with inquiries. The railway hall is depicted with an intricate roof of iron supports and rose windows. To the right is the statue of the Empress Elisabeth, who gave her name to the line. The figure stood in the entrance to the old station, and although damaged in the World War II, it stood until recently in the entrance hall of the new West Station.
Construction on the Empress Elisabeth West Railway began in 1856, and by late 1858 the line had reached the city of Linz. In the next two years the line was extended to Salzburg, and the first train from Vienna arrived on May 26, 1860. The official opening took place on Aug. 12 of that year.
The proof quality silver coin is struck in 900 fine silver, contains 18 grams of pure silver and is 34 mm in diameter.
A wooden case to house the entire collection is also available. It is decorated on the top with a technical-style drawing of an early locomotive and its coal tender reproduced on a silver-gray metal plaque.
Collectors in the U.S. and Canada may purchase the latest railway coin for US$64.50 or C$65.55 each by calling (877) 897-7696. The coin may also be ordered online at www.eurocollections.com.
Add to: del.icio.us digg
With this article: Email to friend Print
Something to add? Notice an error? Comment on this article. | |