Austrian 25 Schilling 1963

Austria issued the 1963 25 Schilling coin as a tribute to John F. Kennedy, one of the few times a European nation memorialized a U.S. president so soon after his death.

This silver piece, weighing about 13.5 grams and measuring 30 millimeters across, features Kennedy's portrait on the obverse, based on official photographs, and the Austrian federal shield on the reverse. The edge is reeded, a standard for the denomination, though variations exist due to wear. Records suggest it was minted in Vienna, but exact production numbers remain unclear; estimates range widely, and I've seen everything from over a million to vague guesses.

If you're hunting for one, check for the "A" mint mark, though it's often faint. The coin's silver content made it popular for bullion at the time, which might explain why so many ended up in circulation rather than collections.

Some collectors debate whether the design copies earlier Kennedy medals, but that's just speculation.