The Verkaufsstelle für Sammlermünzen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland - VfS (Official Sales Agency for Collector's Coins of the Federal Republic of Germany) has launched their latest gold coin, which highlights various locations within the Federal Republic which are UNESCO listed world heritage sites. This year's coin, which is the ninth in the series, pays tribute to the Cathedral of Aachen – the first German site added to UNESCO's list of world Heritage sites as far back as 1978.
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The magnificent Cathedral of Aachen
The magnificent Cathedral of Aachen often referred to as the "Imperial Cathedral" due to its connection with past coronations, is a Roman Catholic Church. The church is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe and was known as the "Royal Church of St. Mary at Aachen" during the middle Ages. For 600 years, from 936 to 1531, the Aachen chapel was the church of coronation for 30 German kings and 12 queens. The origins of the Church itself were initiated by Charlemagne who began the construction of the Palatine Chapel around 792, including the rest of the surrounding palace structures. The Church was consecrated in 805 by Pope Leo III in honour of the Virgin Mary and is Charlemagne's final resting place in 814.The coin, which is designed by artist Erich Ott of Berlin, depicts the Cathedral as viewed from the south-facing side. The tallest structure that steeple is seen to the far left with the Cathedral's dome in the centre and the covered choir hall to the right side. The text was "WELTERBE DOM ZU AACHEN" (World Heritage Aachen Cathedral) with the text "UNESCO" just under the primary design. The reverse includes a stylized depiction of an eagle, the national emblem of the Federal Republic – along with the text "BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTCSHLAND 2012" placed along the upper half along the edge. The coin's face value of "100 EURO" is placed just under the eagle. An "F" mintmark for the Stuttgart Mint is seen to the right of the denomination.
Struck in FDC quality and in .999 fine gold, the coin weighs 15.5 grams (1/2 oz.) and has a diameter of 28 mm. Mintages have not yet been announced.
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| The magnificent Cathedral of Aachen |
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