2009 Austria €5 Silver Coin "Tyrol Freedom War"

• Mint: Austrian Mint
• Denomination: €5
• Quality: BU/UNC
• Limit: 150,000/450,000
• Alloy: 80% Silver
• Diameter: 28.5 mm
• Weight: 8 grams
• BU version comes in a printed, colorful blister pack
• UNC version comes in a plastic baggie

Additional Information

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This issue celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Tyrolean freedom wars of 1809.

Led by Andreas Hofer, the Tyrolean Freedom Fighters were victorious three times in the fight against Napoleon's troops. Hofer quickly rose in the ranks and became commander-in-chief of the Tyrolean army. However, a furhter uprising after the Treaty of Schönbrunn ended in their defeat at Bergisel near Innsbruck. Andreas Hofer fled to the Pfandler Alp above St. Martin in Passeier, but was betrayed, captured and executed by firing squad in Mantua in northern Italy on 20th February 1810.

The nine-sided silver coin shows the bearded Andreas Hofer in his characteristic broad-brimmed hat on the reverse. Beside him stands Giuseppina Negrelli holding the flag of Tyrol. This “lady captain” represents the little known role of women in the popular revolt against Napoleon. The obverse side displays the standard design of the face value “5” encircled by the shields of the nine federal provinces of Austria.