Description
The Austrian 100 Corona dated 1915 is an official restrike and is struck in 0.900 fine gold (21.6 carat). The coin has a portrait of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I on the obverse and the reverse depicts the Imperial double-headed eagle with the Austro-Hungarian coat of arms in the centre of the design.
Franz Joseph I was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and ruler of the other states of the Habsburg empire from 1830-1916. There was a great deal of international tension during his reign and his nephew and heir presumptive, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914. This prompted Franz Joseph to declare war on the Kingdom of Serbia and the resulting defensive alliances led to the First World War. Franz Joseph died in 1916 and was succeeded by his great-nephew, who became King Charles I of Austria.
The Austrian 100 Corona was actually one of the first coins made as a bullion product. In the USA there were restrictions on buying gold coins, but more collectible coins dated before 1933 were allowed. The Austrian Mint restruck the 100 Corona dated 1915 to take advantage of this loophole so that they ould be imported into the USA. They were extremely popular during the 1970Õs until the restrictions were lifted and other coins like the Krugerrand came on to the market.
