2024 Austria Copper €5 New Year's: Lucky Leap

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The turn of the year brings a fascinating numismatic creation from Austria, minted to celebrate the leap year of 2024. This unusual copper piece is struck with nine distinct sides, a signature shape that immediately sets it apart. Issued with a face value of 5 Euros, the coin is composed of one quarter ounce of copper and is backed by the government of Austria, with a total production run of 200,000 pieces. One side of the coin captures the whimsical spirit of luck and new beginnings. Designed by the artistic team of Helmut Andexlinger, Anna Rastl, and Rebecca Wilding, it showcases a detailed pig's head positioned just above a scattering of four-leaf clovers. This side also prominently displays the year 2024, framing these traditional symbols of good fortune. The opposite side delves into the history of our modern calendar system. It depicts Pope Gregory XIII alongside a personified representation of the sun and a calendar page specifically highlighting February 29th. To complete the temporal theme, the astrological symbol for Pisces is also integrated into the design. The legible inscriptions include FEBRUAR, 2024, and GREGORIO XIII, tying the historical and celestial themes of the leap year together beautifully.