A Perfect Gift For Those Left Home

The Styrian Erzberg is well known among extreme enduro riders for its unforgiving steep slopes and endless bolder fields. The Iron Behemoth seems to literally exude heat, dust and fatigation. But it has also brought wealth to former generations of inhabitants of the town of Eisenerz. The iron ore exploited from the Erzberg was and to a lesser degree still is (tourism!) an important ecomomic factor of the region.

According to an old legend, a water sprite brought this blessing to the valley and people where clever enough to choose everlasting iron instead of ephemeral gold or silver when this water sprite was granting them a wish.

In order to commemorate this „water sprite legend“ and the history of mining at the Erzberg, the Austrian Mint Date issued a 10 Euro coin on April 14th, 2010. The price for this picture-perfect present for those left at home during the Erzbergrodeo is Euro 24,20

Austrian Mint

MR/HL