The 100 Corona is the largest of Austria’s imperial gold coronas — nearly a full ounce of .900 gold with the Franz Joseph I portrait and the crowned double eagle. Introduced for Franz Joseph’s 60th jubilee in 1908, originals ran 1908–1914; most examples on the market are Austrian Mint restrikes dated 1915. The entry covers the corona gold system, the restrike situation, and where the 100 Corona sits against the 10 and 20 Corona.
Key facts
- 100-corona gold: .900 fine gold, ~33.875 g, 37 mm, ~0.9802 oz actual gold weight
- Introduced 1908 for the 60th anniversary of Franz Joseph I’s reign; original mintage 1908–1914; Austrian Mint restrikes carry a 1915 date (restrike program began 1975)
- Obverse: left-profile bust of Franz Joseph I (engraver Stefan Schwartz, signed ST · SCHWARTZ)
- Reverse: crowned double-headed eagle with Habsburg shield
- The Gold Corona denomination system: 10 corona (1892–1912) and 20 corona (to 1915) gold coins; 1892 reform made the corona Austria’s first gold-standard currency