An Austrian 25 euro silver coin with a niobium core is now available for purchase the Krause Publication’s online store. The new Austrian coin pays tribute to the field of robotics. The Austrian Mint’s Silver Niobium coins were first introduced in 2003 and have become extremely popular among collectors, investors, and gift-givers. The “Robotik” 25 Euro Silver Niobium coin, produced in 2011, is the ninth in this series.

The unique appearance of the niobium coins is largely due to a process known as anodized oxidation in which a thin oxide layer is produced on the surface. Light refraction enables different colors to arise--thus there is no need to apply any color to the coin. This technique shows up clearly in the deep reddish-pink color of the Robotik coin, which is a tribute to the color attributed to Mars.

Detailed illustrations on the obverse side feature mechanical cogs, binary coding, and a robotic version of Leonardo da Vinci’s Vetruvian Man, symbolizing the interplay between electronics and mechanics that is so fundamental to the science of robotics. The reverse shows a rugged Martian landscape with a European Space Agency robot exploring the Martian surface. A starry sky and the planet Earth shine down from the coin’s silver edge.

The Mars Lander featured on the coin was designed by Thomas Pesendorfer. Each coin is has a diameter of 34 mm, and contains 9 grams of .900 fine silver in the outer ring and 7.15 grams of .998 pure niobium in the inner core. The 25-euro coins have a maximum mintage of 65,000 pieces, struck in special uncirculated quality. The coin is currently available for $74 online at www.shopnumismaster.com/robotik-25-euro-silver-niobium-coin. the first six coins in this Silver Niobium series has sold out already.

The Austrian Mint is situated in the heart of Vienna and is the official minting authority for Austria with a 800 year history. The Mint is the source for all Austrian Euro and Cent coins, whether they are intended for shopping, as an investment or for collection. Before the Euro, the Schilling and Groschen coins were minted, and before that – during the monarchy – Crowns, Guilders and Ducats were struck by the Austrian Mint. The company is located close to the centre at the Vienna Stadtpark in a Biedermeier building erected under Emperor Ferdinand I. from 1835 to 1837. Today it accommodates one of the most modern mints in the world