100 Austrian Corona Franz Joseph I Gold Coin

100 Corona — the largest of the Austro-Hungarian gold coins

The 100 corona holds 30.49 g of pure gold — 0.9803 of a troy ounce — in a coin of 33.88 g at 900 fineness and 37.00 mm across. It is a large coin: wider than a one-ounce Britannia and close to a full ounce of gold.

Specifications

Why every one is dated 1915

The original coins were struck between 1908 and 1915. Austria has restruck the type ever since, and all restrikes carry the 1915 date regardless of when they were actually made. A 1915 date on a 100 corona therefore tells you nothing about the coin's age — it is a type marker, not a year of manufacture.

Obverse and reverse

The obverse carries the right-facing portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph I by the sculptor Stefan Schwartz, ringed by the Latin legend FRANC IOS I D G IMP AVSTR REX BOH GAL ILL ETC ET AP REX HVNG — Francis Joseph I, by the grace of God Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, Galicia, Illyria and so on, and Apostolic King of Hungary.

The reverse, also by Schwartz, shows the imperial coat of arms with the double-headed eagle and the imperial crown, the value 100 COR. and the date. The edge carries the emperor's motto, VIRIBUS UNITIS — with united forces.

VAT and UK capital gains tax

HMRC treats a coin minted after 1800 as bullion gold if it is at least 900 thousandths fine, is or has been legal tender in its country of origin, and normally sells at no more than 180 per cent of the open market value of its gold (VAT Notice 701/21A). At exactly 900 this coin meets the purity test, and it was legal tender when it was issued, so it falls inside the exemption for gold bullion.

Capital gains tax is separate: the UK exemption follows sterling legal tender, so it covers Sovereigns and Britannias but not a continental coin. This is the published rule, not tax advice — your own position depends on your circumstances.

Questions buyers ask

Is a 1915 coin an original? Not necessarily. All restrikes carry that date. The gold content is identical either way.

Does it hold a full ounce? Almost — 0.9803 of a troy ounce, so slightly under.

Is it VAT free in the UK? At exactly 900 fine it meets HMRC's purity test, and it was legal tender in Austria-Hungary.

Other historical coins are on the historical gold coins page. Live quotes on the precious metals prices page.