2017 Austria Silver €20 Maria Theresa (Courage and Determination)

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This striking silver coin from Austria honors the legacy of Empress Maria Theresa, who stood as the solitary female monarch to lead the Habsburg Empire. Issued in 2017, this piece marks the tricentennial of her birth in 1717. The design celebrates her reign, which spanned from 1740 to 1780, by highlighting the specific virtues of fortitude and resolve that defined her leadership. The obverse of the coin displays an elegant portrait of Empress Maria Theresa, a depiction crafted by Matthäus Donner. On the reverse, the Roman goddess Minerva appears fully armed, serving as a powerful symbol of strength and bravery. This side of the coin carries the thematic inscription of Courage and Determination. Struck in a proof finish, this 20 Euro coin contains 0.6660 troy ounces of silver with a purity of 0.925. Backed by the Austrian government, this issue had a limited release of 30,000 pieces, offering a beautiful numismatic tribute to one of Europe's most influential historical figures.