Zodiac Silver

Austrian Mint "In the Stars": Gemstone-Inlaid Sterling Silver Zodiac Coins

"In the Stars" is a 12-coin collector series from the Austrian Mint (Munze Osterreich), pairing each western zodiac sign with a complementary semi-precious gemstone. The series launched in 2025 with Capricorn and runs through 2029, releasing two to four coins per year. Each coin is denominated at 20 Euro, struck in .925 sterling silver at proof quality, with a mintage capped at 30,000 per design.

The gemstone inlay is the defining feature. Each coin contains a genuine semi-precious stone selected for its traditional association with the zodiac sign: rose quartz for Capricorn, amber for Taurus, rock crystal for Leo, and so on through all twelve signs. The stones are set into the coin during the minting process, creating a product that combines numismatic craft with jewellery techniques.

This positions the series firmly in the collector and numismatic space rather than as a bullion product. The .925 sterling silver composition contains approximately 20.74g of fine silver per coin, at a retail price well above melt value. Buyers purchase "In the Stars" for artistry, limited mintage, and the novelty of the gemstone inlay, not as an efficient way to accumulate silver by weight.

The Austrian Mint has deep institutional credentials. A subsidiary of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian National Bank), the mint traces its origins to 1194 and is best known internationally for the Vienna Philharmonic bullion series. The "In the Stars" series continues a tradition of themed multi-year collector programmes that includes "The Uncharted Universe" and "Tales and Legends of Austria."

"In the Stars" Coin Specifications

Release Schedule

Gemstone Pairings

The gemstone selections follow traditional European birthstone associations rather than the modern standardised list adopted by the American National Retail Jewelers Association in 1912. Each stone is set into the coin during the minting process, combining numismatic striking techniques with jewellery-grade gem setting. The first coin, Capricorn, features a pink rose quartz inset on the obverse alongside the zodiac symbol, with an Ibex set against a starry sky on the reverse.

The hexagonal collector case system allows all 12 coins to be displayed together in a tessellating pattern, forming a complete zodiac wheel when assembled. Each coin ships with a Certificate of Authenticity in individually numbered cases with zodiac-specific decoration. The series started with Capricorn rather than Aries (the traditional first sign of the zodiac), likely timed to align with the December 2025 and January 2026 Capricorn season at launch.

"In the Stars" Tax Treatment by Country

As Austrian legal tender at 20 Euro face value, these coins carry sovereign backing within the EU. The collector premium and sterling silver composition create some specific tax considerations.

• Austria/EU: Legal tender coins within the EU. VAT treatment varies by member state. In Austria, the reduced VAT rate or margin scheme may apply depending on the dealer. Investment gold is VAT-exempt across the EU, but investment silver is not; sterling silver coins are subject to standard VAT treatment.
• United Kingdom: Silver coins carry 20% VAT on import regardless of legal tender status. Only gold coins meeting specific purity criteria (995+ or 900+ post-1800 legal tender) are VAT-exempt. Import duty may also apply on non-UK legal tender coins. No CGT exemption.
• United States: No federal sales tax. State exemptions vary. The .925 purity does not meet the IRS threshold for precious metals IRAs (99.9% for silver), making these coins ineligible for self-directed IRA accounts.
• Canada: The .925 purity falls below the 99.9% threshold for the federal GST/HST exemption on investment-grade precious metals. These coins would be subject to GST/HST.
• Australia: The .925 purity falls below the 99.9% threshold for investment-grade silver GST exemption. Subject to 10% GST.
• New Zealand: The .925 purity falls below the 99.9% threshold for fine silver GST exemption. Subject to 15% GST.
• Singapore: The .925 purity falls below the 99.9% IPM threshold for silver. Subject to 9% GST.
• Hong Kong: No sales tax, no import duty, no capital gains tax.

The sterling silver composition is a significant disadvantage for buyers outside the EU. In countries with purity-based tax exemptions, the .925 fineness disqualifies these coins from the exemptions that .999 bullion coins receive. Combined with the high collector premium above melt value, the tax treatment makes these primarily attractive in the EU market or in jurisdictions with no silver tax.

"In the Stars" vs Other Zodiac and Austrian Mint Silver

Within the Austrian Mint's own catalogue, the comparison to the Silver Philharmonic is instructive. The Philharmonic is a pure bullion product: .999 fine silver, 1 oz weight, uncapped mintage, competitive premiums. "In the Stars" is a collector product: .925 sterling, proof quality, gemstone inlay, 30,000 mintage, premiums far above melt. The two serve entirely different purposes. Philharmonic for silver accumulation; "In the Stars" for numismatic collecting and display.

Against the Tokelau Signs of the Zodiac, the Austrian series is positioned several tiers higher. The Tokelau coins are .999 silver BU bullion with premiums close to spot. The Austrian coins are .925 proof with gemstone inlays and substantial collector premiums. The Tokelau series targets silver stackers who want a zodiac theme at bullion prices; the Austrian series targets collectors and gift buyers who value artistry and presentation.

The Monarch Precious Metals Zodiac rounds sit in between. Monarch's .999 silver rounds with antique ultra high relief finish are private mint products without legal tender backing. They carry modest premiums and compete on aesthetic appeal. The Austrian Mint coins bring sovereign backing, gemstone inlays, and proof finishing at a higher price point.

No other zodiac-themed bullion product combines gemstone inlays with sovereign mint proof quality. The closest parallels are non-zodiac Austrian Mint collector series or Perth Mint gemstone coins (such as the Wonders of Australia proof opal edition), which use similar techniques in different thematic contexts. For buyers specifically seeking western zodiac coins with the highest production quality, the Austrian Mint series has no direct competitor at its tier.