Blog

Between Conservatism and Art Nouveau: The Dual Faces of the 1908 100 Corona

Written by Greta Gazzaniga

The Numismatic Issues of 1908

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the reign of Franz Joseph I, grand celebrations were organized in Vienna, including a military parade on the Ringstrasse. At the Hofburg Palace, a meeting was held between the Emperor and all the German monarchs and princes, led by Wilhelm II of Prussia.

In memory of the event, a series of commemorative coins was issued by the Vienna Mint: 100, 20, 10, 5, and 1 Corona (1908). Among these issues, the 100 and 5 Corona, in gold and silver respectively, were produced in a more limited mintage with a proof, mirror-like finish.

The New Talents of the Vienna Mint

These coins, like the other commemorative issues, were created by two rising stars of Austrian medallic art: Rudolf Ferdinand Marshall and Rudolf Neuberger. Both artists, having just completed their studies, were brought in to work at the Vienna Mint under the supervision of other medallists who had been their professors during their training, as well as being mint masters themselves.

In fact, many coins and medals issued in the Emperor’s name were struck by artists such as Stephan Schwartz and Josef Hermann Tautenhayn. In addition to their work at the mint, these artists taught at the school of engraving and the Vienna Academy of Decorative Arts. Both young medallists had already created plaquettes featuring portraits of the Emperor and Empress.

The Iconography of the 1908 100 Corona

Returning to the 1908 100 Corona coin featured as Lot 74 Auction 12, the obverse features the profile portrait of the elderly Emperor. A man of deep-seated habits, he still sports the characteristic sideburns that were in vogue during the second half of the 19th century, a style he maintained until his death.

The reverse depicts an allegorical female figure representing the Austrian Empire. She holds a laurel wreath in her hand, rests upon a bed of clouds, and leans her left arm on the imperial coat of arms.

Nomisma Aste, Asta 12, Lotto 74, AUSTRIA Francesco Giuseppe I d'Asburgo Lorena (1848-1916) 100 Corone 1908 60° anniversario di regno di Francesco Giuseppe I, retro

Auction 12, Lot 74, AUSTRIA Franz Joseph I of Habsburg-Lorraine (1848–1916) 100 Corona 1908 60th Anniversary of the Reign of Franz Joseph I

A Contrast Between Conservatism and Modernity

It is highly interesting to note how this coin, alongside the 1908 5 Corona piece, are true products of their time: on their two sides, we find representations that are diametrically opposed in their approach. On the obverse, as previously mentioned, appears the profile of the sovereign with a mustache and sideburns belonging to a bygone fashion, which also reflect his notoriously conservative and austere political stance. Indeed, the Emperor frequently appeared in public in military uniform, underscoring his rigid upbringing.

On the reverse, however, is a representation of the Austrian Empire clearly inspired by the artistic movement of the era, Art Nouveau. While this was not the first time a nation was depicted through a female allegorical figure, it is certainly the manner of representation that is much more liberated compared to 19th-century Neoclassical models. The female allegories introduced by this movement strive for a lighter, freer beauty, evoking the theme of the femme fatale.

These two realities are thus merged into a single object. While they likely did not reflect the Emperor’s personal tastes, they served to portray him as the leader of a modern, advanced country that was fully in step with the trends of the time.

See also: