Obverse. Photo © Austrian Mint
  • 25 Euro 2006, KM# 3135, Austria, Silver Niobium Coin, European Satellite Navigation
  • 25 Euro 2006, KM# 3135, Austria, Silver Niobium Coin, European Satellite Navigation
Description

Commemorating the use of Satellite Navigation in Europe, the 2006 edition of the Austrian Mint’s 25 Euro Silver Niobium series makes ingenious use of the unique format.

A satellite navigation or satnav system is a system that uses satellites to provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning. It allows small electronic receivers to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude/elevation) to high precision (within a few metres) using time signals transmitted along a line of sight by radio from satellites. The system can be used for providing position, navigation or for tracking the position of something fitted with a receiver (satellite tracking). The signals also allow the electronic receiver to calculate the current local time to high precision, which allows time synchronisation. Satnav systems operate independently of any telephonic or internet reception, though these technologies can enhance the usefulness of the positioning information generated.

The coin contains 9 grammes of 900 Fine silver in its outer ring and 6.5 grammes of 998 pure niobium. Each coin is encapsulated, boxed and comes complete with a numbered certificate guaranteeing its authenticity.

Obverse

Austrian Mint's global location inscribed on a compass face. The coin’s golden brown niobium core cleverly depicts a compass on the coin’s obverse, with the geographic coordinates showing the Austrian Mint’s exact location in Vienna etched over the eight cardinal points and year of issue. The outer silver ring contains both the country of issue (Republic of Austria) and face value.

Engraver: H. Wähner

R·E·P·U·B·L·I·K Ö·S·T·E·R·R·E·I·C·H
N NO O SO S SW W NW
Position
der Münze Österreich
NÖRDLICHE BREITE
48° 12' 12'' , 3
ÖSTLICH VON GREENWICH
16° 22' 58'' , 7
2006
2·5 E·U·R·O

Reverse

Depicts the different means of transport that make use of satellite navigation – plane, train, ship and motor vehicles – and bears the inscription “European Satellite Navigation” in German. The niobium core on this side shows numerous satellites orbiting the globe, their tracks spilling over into the silver ring.

A satellite navigation system with global coverage may be termed a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). As of December 2016, only the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo are global operational GNSSs. The European Union's Galileo GNSS is scheduled to be fully operational by 2020.

Engraver: T. Pesendorfer

EUROPÄISCHE SATELLITENNAVIGATION
TP

Edge

25 Euro

Silver Niobium Coin
European Satellite Navigation

Subscribe series
KM# 3135
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Silver
Center Niobium
Weight 17.15 g
Diameter 34 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Austrian Mint

Related coins

Hall in Tirol

Silver Niobium Coin

Bi-Metallic, 17.15 g, ⌀ 34 mm
Semmering Alpine Railway

Silver Niobium Coin

Bi-Metallic, 17.15 g, ⌀ 34 mm
50th Anniversary of the Television

Silver Niobium Coin

Bi-Metallic, 17.15 g, ⌀ 34 mm