The Austrian Mint in Vienna has issued silver and copper 5 euro coins to commemorate 60th anniversary of the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer). Both coins show an image of a Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopter on reverse, to recognize the role of the aircraft in the Bundesheer operation.
The Bundesheer operates nine BLACK HAWK helicopters to perform homeland security, disaster relief, firefighting and international peacekeeping missions. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
The coin reverse side shows a Black Hawk helicopter hovering in place while army personnel hoist a rescued person into the aircraft. The same side features an armed Austrian soldier wearing a beret with the army crest, the words "60 Jahre Bundesheer," the anniversary dates 1955/2015, and "Schutz und Hilfe" (Search and Rescue).
The coin obverse show the face value of the coins encircled by the shields of the nine federal provinces of Austria.
"We congratulate the Bundesheer for 60 years of meritorious service to the Republic of Austria, and we thank the Austrian Mint for illustrating the BLACK HAWK helicopter so beautifully on these commemorative coins. This is indeed an honor," said Caroline Vandedrinck, European Regional Executive for Sikorsky Defense Systems & Services. "Our founder, Igor Sikorsky, always envisioned vertical lift machines employed as life-saving tools for the benefit of humankind."
"The Federal Army has repeatedly and successfully used Black hawk helicopters for numerous rescue missions within Austria," said Bernhard Urban, Austrian Mint Product Manager. "Because of this all-around pivotal role in the country, the Austrian Mint selected it for the coin."
"While several countries have released postage stamps featuring Sikorsky airplanes and helicopters, to the best of our knowledge this is the first minted coin showing the BLACK HAWK helicopter," said Dan Libertino, President of the Sikorsky Archives, which preserves the company's history.
60th anniversary of the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) Coin
Quality: Special uncirculated
Face value: 5 Euro
Date of issue: 06.05.2015
Coin design: Mag. Helmut Andexlinger/Herbert Wähner /
Diameter: 28.50 mm
Alloy: Silver Ag 800
Fine weight: 8.00 g
Total weight: 10.00 g
Mintage: 50,000 (silver); 200,000 (copper).
You can visit Austrian Mint official website www.muenzeoesterreich.at for more information about 60th anniversary of the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) Silver coin. The copper coins will enter general circulation.
