PUMMERIN BELL 300 Anniversary St Stephen Cathedral Wien Silver Coin 5€ Euro Austria 2011

Originally cast from Turkish cannon balls captured during the siege of Vienna in 1711, the original Pummerin fell from the cathedral tower during a fire in the final days of the Second World War. A hybrid of the original and the new bell that was cast from its shattered pieces is featured hanging from an elaborate cradle on the coin's reverse. Its home, the unmistakable Gothic and Romanesque St Stephen's, is seen in the background. Characteristic of the standard 5 euro silver coin is its nine-sided shape and the circle of Austrian provincial shields surrounding the denomination on the obverse. Issued in Special Uncirculated quality to a maximum mintage of 50,000 only, each coin is presented in a transparent capsule within a highly attractive and imaginatively designed blister pack featuring bilingual text in English and German and original photographs illustrating the Pummerin's eventful life.