Who does not know them, the Salzburg Festival, the world’s most important festival of classical music and performing arts, which annually offers top-class performances in the field of opera, drama and concert. This tradition celebrates its 100th birthday in 2020. For this special occasion, the Upper Austrian graphic artist Helmut Andexlinger designed a silver coin and a special stamp, which were presented by the Festival President Helga Rabl-Stadler and Stefan Nemeth from the Austrian Post AG, and the General Director of the Mint Austria, General Director Gerhard Starsich , Three large Austrian institutions commemorated the hour of birth and the founding fathers of the Salzburg Festival, beginning with the legendary “Jedermann-performance” by Hugo von Hofmannsthal and the group around Max Reinhard and Richard Strauss. The silver coin “100 Years of the Salzburg Festival” and the stamp were presented in a festive setting in a special post office in the Great Festival Hall.

The silver coin – a premiere in the world of coins

The Salzburg Festival commemorative coin is the first domed plate minted by the Austrian Mint. The value side of the coin (also called avers) impresses with a concave arched edge with a radial structure. The inner part shows two masks, which are supposed to reflect the two basic forms of the drama, the tragedy and the comedy.

The other side of the coin (the so-called reverse side) consists of a convexly curved edge, which is printed in red in places. The flat inner part shows the cutout of a violin, two masks and a dove of peace holding an olive branch in its beak.

The coin has a fineness of 925/1000 (sterling silver), a diameter of 34 millimeters, a weight of 20.74 grams and is of the highest quality, the so-called “polished plate”. Their nominal value is 20 euros.

The silver coin is available from Münze Österreich AG as well as from the Musikverein, branches of the Dorotheum, all financial institutions and post offices. Their coin circulation is “only” 30,000 copies.

The stamp for the Salzburg Festival

The design of the special postage stamp shows two masks and the cutout of a violin, along with a dove of peace as a symbol of peace. The circulation of the special stamp is 180,000. Their face value is 2.70 euros. The strictly limited postage stamp is available in the collection service of Austrian Post, in the online shop and in all post offices. The issue date of the coin and stamp “100 Years of the Salzburg Festival” is January 22, 2020.

The performance of “Jedermann” by Hugo von Hofmannsthal in 1920 at Salzburg Cathedral Square was the beginning of one of the most successful and important festivals in the world. The Salzburg Festival has been held in honor of famous musicians and performers for 100 years.

The cover picture shows general director Mr Gerhard Starsich, festival president Mrs Helga Rabl-Stadler and the head of product management & e-business branches, Austrian Post AG, Mr Stefan Nemeth (© SF / Anne Zeuner).

References
https://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at