The Singapore International Coin Fair (SICF) takes place from March 28-30, 2014 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. The show is the premier gathering for the numismatic field in Asia, and there will be many unique precious metal coins for sale and on display at the fair.
The organizing committee here in Singapore is honored to announce that on display at the SICF this year will be one of the largest gold coins ever minted. This 1,000-ounce (68-pounds/31 Kilograms) gold coin was specially arranged to come to Singapore by the Austrian Mint, and is the largest coin ever produced in their iconic and famous “Philharmonic Orchestra” program. At the time it was produced, it was recorded as the largest gold coin in the world by Guinness World Records. It features a face value of €100,000 Euros, with a diameter of 37 centimeters and a thickness of 2 centimeters. The total weight is a massive 31.103 Kilograms of 999.9 pure gold. The 1,000-ounce Austrian Philharmonic gold coin will be on display for 3 days only, at the Sands Expo and Convention Center during the Singapore International Coin Fair. This is the first time a coin this big has been in Singapore.
A coin of this size and mintage is not just worth the gold value. It has an investment and numismatic value in the market that goes far beyond its legal face value and intrinsic worth. However, its intrinsic value is considerable, and at $1,350 USD per ounce, the “Big Phil” coin is worth $1,350,000 USD, or S$1,714,500 SGD, for the gold value alone.
The year 2014 represents the 25th anniversary of the Austrian Philharmonic Orchestra gold bullion coin, and we are very honored to have the biggest gold Philharmonic gold coin ever, on display in Singapore. Nicknamed the “Big Phil” due to its size, the coin was issued by the 800-year old Austrian Mint in October 2004 to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Philharmonic gold bullion program, and as such only 15 of these coins were minted world-wide. The coin boasts a classic award winning design by Austrian Mint head designer Thomas Pesendorfer, which depicts a harmonious assortment of musical instruments on the reverse and the organ of the Musikverein concert hall in Vienna on its obverse. It is nearly identical to those of normal Philharmonic gold bullion coins, however these massive coins cannot be produced in normal coinage machines due to their size, and as such the producing of these 15 coins required computer technology and hand polishing, guided by Chief Engraver Mr. Thomas Pesendorfer. It took 130 hours to produce 1 coin of the “Big Phil,” and they were sold out within 2 weeks after being offered for sale, with the exception of one coin that was selected to be kept in the Coin Museum of the Austrian National Bank.
The Austrian Mint’s emblematic Philharmonic coin series has been declared “the world’s best-selling gold coin” four times by the World Gold Council. One of the most successful gold bullion coins world-wide, the Vienna Philharmonic is a favorite with investors in Asia, Europe, and North America. Made of 999.9 pure gold, Vienna Philharmonics are available in four different sizes and face values, making them ideal for all types of investors. As emphasized by Austrian Mint CEO Gerhard Starsich, these coins are impeccable, crowd pleasing, and convey a passion for perfection — just like their namesake, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Come to the Sands Expo and Convention Center for the Singapore International Coin Fair to view these and other impressive, rare coins from around the world.