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The ½ oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic is a half-size version of the iconic Austrian bullion coin. It offers the same top-line purity level, only in a smaller format.

1/2 oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coin Price

Two components play a role in the formation of the price for a ½ oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic. The first of those elements is the spot price of gold. 

The spot price refers to the ongoing value associated with the gold futures contracts that are most soon to expire. However, the spot price represents the market value of a troy ounce of gold. It is not a static value, but, rather, a variable amount that can change at a moment’s notice.

The other element that feeds into the price for a ½ oz Austrian Philharmonic is the premium that your chosen dealer charges. The premium is the fee the dealer charges for doing the gruntwork associated with putting you and the Austrian Mint together.

The premium on this coin is about 7% over the spot price. In comparison to other similarly sized and pure coins, this premium is about average. The Austrian Philharmonic is a well-known and respected bullion coin series around the world, but it doesn’t have quite the cachet of the American bullion coins.

As such, you won’t have to spend quite so much for the ½ oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic as you would for a ½ oz American Gold Eagle or ½ oz Gold Buffalo. However, on the flip side, it might be slightly harder to find a buyer for the Philharmonic when you decide to sell. 

Find the Lowest Price on 1/2 oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic Coin

Now, the ½ oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic is a readily available coin, to be sure. However, it may not come with a large selection of options. So, while there are some strategies you can use to find the lowest price when you buy, some of them may not be as effective as they are for other coins.

The first strategy always works, however, and is a must for any savvy investor. You should shop around as much as you can. Thanks to the prevalence of online precious metals dealers, it is quite easy to hunt for the best price that you can.

With that said, don’t just grab the lowest price you see - particularly if it is below the current spot price. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is, and there’s some other cost or catch that is allowing the dealer to offer such an appealing offer.

The other possibility is that the dealer simply isn’t an honest broker. So, you should make sure to choose a deal with a dealer that has a sterling reputation and track record. We can recommend the following sites:

• JM Bullion
• Silver.com
• Provident Metals
• BGASC.com

All four of these sites are tiptop. However, as a smart precious metals collector, you should not limit yourself only to these four. Look for a good deal.

Once you’ve found the lowest premiums, there are a few things you can do. The first thing to do is avoid paying for a proof coin or an uncirculated coin at all costs. Circulated coins may come with a few nicks or abrasions but still offer the same gold weight and purity.

You can also lower the premium if you don’t care about the mintage year for the coin. If you select a random year purchase option, the dealer will cut you a break because you are helping him or her clear some of their inventory or overstock.

Finally, if possible, you should try to buy ½ oz Austrian Philharmonics in bulk if your budget permits you to do so. As with most products, there are substantial savings you can realize on a per-unit basis if you can afford the higher upfront prices for a plastic tube of coins.

Description

Oddly enough, the ½ oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic was the last fractional coin of the series to be released to the public. The coin series debuted with the 1 oz and ¼ oz coins in 1989, added the 1/10 oz version in 1991, but didn’t mint a half ounce until 1994.

Like all the series, the ½ oz coin is minted at a .9999 purity level, which is the highest purity commonly found in production bullion coins around the world. The coin series’ design is consistent through all of its sizes and pays tribute to one of the most iconic aspects of Austrian national pride - its music.

Accordingly, the image on the obverse of the coin is the Great Pipe Organ, which resides in the Golden Hall inside the Musikverein, the home of the Austrian Philharmonic. This design has only changed once, and the change coincided with the replacement of the previous organ with the new one in 2011. 

The reverse of the ½ oz Austrian Gold Philharmonic features various instruments that are staples of the orchestra. Thus, each coin features violins, a cello, a harp, and a French horn.

Coin Highlights

Here are the nuts and bolts you need to know about the ½ oz Austrian Philharmonic:

• ½ troy ounce in each coin.
• .9999 fine gold.
• Obverse features Great Pipe Organ in Musikverein’s Golden Hall.
• Reverse features several instruments intrinsic to the Austrian orchestra.
• Coin designed by Thomas Pesendorfer.
• First released in 1994.
• Face value of either 1,000 Schillings or €50, depending on the mintage year.

Buying Fractional Coins

Buying a fractional coin is a great option if you want to begin or continue your gold investment, but don’t want to commit the same amount of dollars that buying a full-size coin would require. If your budget is limited, these coins can be just the thing.

However, I understand that no fractional coin is as cost-effective, pound for pound, as the 1 oz version of the same coin. There are additional production costs associated with the smaller coinage, and these costs form the basis for the higher premiums. 

Where the ½ oz Philharmonic comes with a 7% premium, a 1 oz coin usually has less than 3% of the spot price on top. On an absolute basis, you still pay less for the fractionals, but you are paying extra for the convenience of the lower price.

Still, there’s no denying their value and popularity. There’s a reason that sovereign mints continue to churn out the smaller coins. For some investors, the smaller it is, the better it is. Unsurprisingly, the 1/10 oz version is the most popular of the fractional bunch.

Specifications