Austria unveils world's "biggest gold coin"

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/041006/323/f41b9.html




VIENNA (AFP) - Austria unveiled what it called the world's biggest gold coin in honour of the famed Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

The gleaming 24-carat gold disc measures 37 centimeters (14.5 inches) and weighs 31 kilograms (68.3 pounds).

The APA news agency revealed that the coin -- dubbed 'Big Phil' -- is only 15 of the coins were created by the Austrian Mint.

Though the coin has a face value of 100,000 euros (about 121,000 dollars) its retail price is worth more than 330,000 euros (500,000 dollars).

It bears a replica of the Philharmonic Orchestra's famed hall on one side and musical instruments on the other.

The Austrian Mint said it expects the coin to enter the Guiness World Records book.