Theodor Billroth 50 Euro Gold Coin
Theodor Billroth 50 Euro Gold Coin - click on image to enlarge
General Coin Information
The Austrian Mint has released the third of four eventual coins in its' "Celebrated Physicians of Austria" series, namely the Theodor Billroth 50 Euro Gold Coin. Billroth was German born, but made his adult-life home in Austria.
Known not only for his medical achievements, Billroth was a lover of music and a talented amateur violin and piano player. He became quite close with composer Johannes Brahms, and helped to support the Viennese musical community.
He felt strongly that his interests in medicine and music were complementary of each other and wrote in a letter:
"It is one of the superficialities of our time to see in science and in art two opposites. Imagination is the mother of both."
Surgery, however, is where Billroth excelled. He completed the first esophagectomy, the first laryngectomy and the first successful gastrectomy for gastric cancer. He was one of the first to consider the effects of bacteria on patients and the traumatic fever it caused after operations. With this in mind, he was instrumental in the launching of the use of antiseptics.
Billroth believed that not only the doctors and surgeons needed superior training, but the nurses as well. To this end, he helped to start the Rudolf House in Vienna, a hospital that had (and still does have) a nurse training school attached to it.
The coin is struck in proof quality in .986 fine gold with a maximum mintage of 50,000.
Obverse Design
A bearded portrait of Billroth is portrayed on the obverse together with an Aesculapius staff, a symbol synonymous with medicine. Included as well are the inscriptions "50 Euro", "2009", "Theodor Billroth" "1829-1894" and "Republik Österreic".
Reverse Design
The reverse depicts Billroth conducting a demonstration operation and to the left is the old Vienna General Hospital, where Billroth worked and taught.
Billroth Gold Coin Specifications
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Austrian Gold Coin Auctions
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 1892 Austrian 4 Florins 10 Francs 216 carat Gold Coin  US $95.81
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 2009 ONE OUNCE AUSTRIAN GOLD PHILHARMONIC GEM COPY COIN US $19.95
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 1915 Austrian Gold Ducat Coin US $110.38
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 1892 Austrian Gold Coin 4 Florin 32 g GOLD US $23.35
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 1905 Austrian Gold Coin 10 Corona 338 g GOLD US $16.36
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Billroth Gold Coin Resources
- Mint information page
- Mint press release - CoinNews.net