This brilliant new anniversary coin from the Austrian Mint beautifully illustrates the founding of the Vienna Mint and helps recreate the fascinating story.

In 1191, two crusaders, Duke Leopold V of Austria and King Richard ‘The Lionheart’ of England, got into an argument during the capture of the city of Acre. In December 1192, on his way back home from the Holy Land, Richard was taken prisoner by Leopold on the outskirts of Vienna. The huge ransom in silver, which Leopold managed to extort from the English people in return for Richard’s release, led to the origin of the legend of Robin Hood. Leopold used the silver to found both the stronghold of Wiener Neustadt and the original Mint in Vienna.

The obverse features a crusader on horseback, part of Leopold’s crusade along with the year, weight and face value all in sleek black ruthenium.

The reverse features a colourised portrait of Duke Leopold V of Vienna ready for battle, holding his sword that has been set ablaze.

Your coin is displayed elegantly in a black case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity, limited at only 100 pieces world wide.

Note: The colourisation / plating on this piece was performed by an experienced third party company not by the mint of origin.

Technical Specifications

These are modified items and as such, can not be used as currency in the mint issuer’s country.