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Following the Troll, the Hippocampus, the Elf, and the Basilisk, the Austrian Mint's "Mythical Creatures" series now includes the Unicorn. This fifth installment, with a face value of 3 euros, will be issued on November 4, 2026.
Minted in copper alloy, it has a maximum mintage of 65,000 pieces. The collection features twelve legendary beings with colorful designs that change appearance under ultraviolet light.
To discover the beginning of the collection, you can consult the Mythical Creatures Series: when legends come to life and shine in your hands.
MYTHICAL CREATURES · FIFTH INSTALLMENT
FACE VALUE 3 euros
ISSUE DATE 04 · 11 · 2026
COPIES 65,000
The Unicorn: Story of a Legendary Creature
The unicorn occupies a unique place among mythical creatures: for centuries, its existence seemed plausible. Travelers' accounts of distant lands and unknown animals helped keep alive the belief in a creature with a single horn.
Their descriptions didn't always agree. While the image of the horse is familiar today, some accounts attributed features of other animals to it. This diversity reflects the range of stories circulating in Europe.
THE NARWHAL AND THE UNICORN HORNS
One of the keys to their fame came from the Arctic. The narwhal's long tusks were interpreted as unicorn horns. Their spiral shape seemed to offer tangible proof that the legendary animal existed.
These pieces achieved enormous prestige. They were kept in church treasuries and rulers' collections, where their rarity and supposed origin gave them extraordinary value. The Metropolitan Museum notes that Lorenzo de' Medici's "unicorn horn" was valued at 6,000 florins upon his death in 1492.
They were also believed to neutralize poisons. Remedies were prepared with small amounts of material scraped from the supposed horns, a practice born of belief in their powers and ineffective as an antidote.
Reverse: The Unicorn and its golden horn
The reverse shows a white unicorn advancing towards the viewer, its mane flowing in the wind. Its long, pointed horn is printed in gold, as are the carbuncle, the ornamental motif in the lower right corner, and the band that runs partially around the edge. Several flowers complete the scene, along with the year 2026 and the inscription "EINHORN," which means "unicorn" in German.
The obverse features the key adorned with the letter "F", accompanied by a sun and stars. It includes the inscriptions "REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH" and "3 EURO".
UV lighting reveals fluorescent colors and sparkles. Comparing the two images allows us to appreciate the design's transformation.
Austria · The Unicorn · 2026Face value 3 euros
Metal Copper alloy
Quality Uncirculated
Diameter 34 mm
Weight 16 g
Designers Rebecca Koini, Anna Schlindner and Nina Schwarzer
Date of issue November 4, 2026
Maximum print run 65,000 copies
Official advertised price €16.80
Accessories: UV flashlight and collector's album
TO COMPLETE THE EXPERIENCE
A Story for Twelve Creatures
The ultraviolet flashlight reveals the fluorescent effects of the pieces. Both accessories are sold separately.
CONTINUE EXPLORING THE COLLECTION
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