2026 Austria €3 UNC Coin - Mythical Creatures: The Elf

• Mint: Austrian Mint
• Denomination: €3
• Quality: UNC
• Issue limit: 65,000
• Alloy: Base Metal
• Diameter: 34 mm
• Weight: 16 grams
• Design: Anna Schlindner, Rebecca Wilding
• Box/Capsule: No/No
• Certificate: No

Additional Information

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The third coin in the ‘Magical and Mythical Creatures’ series depicts a colourful elf with butterfly wings. – Especially when ultraviolet light sweeps across her, she seems to come alive.

Depending on which myth and which era we look at, a different image of elves prevails. The terms ‘elf’ and ‘fairy’ are often used interchangeably in everyday language today, but they have different mythological origins.

Elves come from Norse and Celtic mythology. They played an important role in medieval superstition. Elves were also frequently equated or confused with dwarves or demons.

In 19th-century children’s books, a friendlier image of elves began to take hold. It became common to imagine elves as small magical beings that live among flowers and flit about in nature.

In Iceland they are actually invisible. The so-called huldufólk – or the hidden people – are firmly rooted in local folklore. In legends and fairy tales, they populate wild and untouched nature. Nowadays, very few people in Iceland believe in elves in the literal sense. But for the vast majority, they certainly have significance as part of the cultural heritage. Today, a belief in elves primarily expresses appreciation for an ancient storytelling tradition and a close connection with nature. In Icelandic planning approval procedures, one aspect considered alongside others is whether a project would cause damage to cultural heritage. This includes features of the landscape such as large stones or rocks, which are regarded in Icelandic folklore as being inhabited by elves.

A winged elf in a little greenish dress has alighted on the coin. To her right, strawberries together with their blossoms and leaves can be seen in the foreground. To the left, an ornament printed in gold and a star are visible. A band around the edge, also printed in gold, is interrupted in places by the relief. – The colours of the mythical creature and the inscription ‘ELFE’ change in ultraviolet light, enhancing the magical effect of the motif.

The obverse features an intricately decorated key with the letter ‘F’ representing the first letter of the German name of the coin series. Behind it a sun is depicted in the style of a silhouette, recessed into a circular, textured relief. The stars sparkling around the edge and the irregularly shaped letters add to the coin’s enchanted feel.