Euro Coin Set 2023 P

**This Coin Set is even more special than usual. That is because 2023 is the last time we will issue the eight freshly minted euro coins in Proof, the highest possible minting quality.** We will, however, continue to issue the Coin Set in Special Uncirculated quality, in which each coin is a mini masterpiece. **150^th^ anniversary of Vienna's water supply** The Official Austrian Euro Coin Set 2023 celebrates the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of the First Vienna Spring Water Main, which provides the Austrian capital with drinking water. In Vienna, by simply turning on the tap, one can drink high-quality spring water from the Alps. But that was not always the case. The population of the Austrian capital obtained its drinking water from domestic wells up until the 16th century, when a pipeline was eventually constructed after a major fire had shown there was insufficient water to prevent such disasters. In the mid-19th century, the poor quality of Vienna’s drinking water led to typhus and cholera epidemics. In 1873, the First Vienna Spring Water Main began bringing fresh water to capital from the Schneeberg-Rax-Schneealpe massif south-west of the city. The brainchild of geologist and city councillor Eduard Suess, the construction of the water main was an impressive feat of civil engineering involving thousands of workers, yet it took just three years to complete. Built to improve and safeguard drinking water supply, thereby excluding any further health hazards for the population, the water main now supplies Vienna with 220 million litres of spring water every day. On its 24-hour journey, the water passes over 30 aqueducts from its source to the Rosenhügel reservoir in Vienna, from where it is distributed via a vast network of pipes. Not only is the water of exceptional quality, as it flows purely because of gravity, the system that supplies it is environmentally friendly. **2 Euro** The first woman ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize, early 20th-century Austrian pacifist and novelist Bertha von Suttner features on the largest coin. **1 Euro** Born in Salzburg, Austria’s most famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will forever be remembered for his dominance of Viennese classical music during his short life. **50 Cent** The jewel in the Viennese Modernist crown, the Secession exhibition hall still exudes modernity more than a century after it was built. **20 Cent** A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, the Belvedere was once the palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Today it is home to some of the world’s most famous paintings, including The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. **10 Cent** Construction began on Vienna’s gothic St Stephen's cathedral over 800 years ago. Its roof and tower, which feature on the 10 cent coin, still dominate the Vienna skyline today. **5 Cent** The three smallest coins in the collection are all decorated with alpine flowers. The 5 cent piece with primula auricula, the mountain cowslip. **2 Cent** Made world famous by the song from the musical The Sound of Music, the edelweiss adorns the 2 cent coin. **1 Cent** The smallest coin in circulation rounds of the coin set’s trio of alpine flower with a gentian.