The Austrian Mint has produced 2010 Calendar Medals and Lucky Tokens in continuation of the ongoing series. These new issues are a great way to celebrate 2010 and bring good fortune for the new year!

The 2010 Calendar Medal honors the year's regent Apollo, the sun god. Designed and engraved by the Mint’s Chief Engraver Thomas Pesedorfer, the medal depicts the mighty Apollo also know as Helios in Greek mythology. Apollo's personification by the sun is highlighted in the rays of light surrounding him. He points to the sun and the words, "Jahr der Sonne", or "Year of the Sun", appear around the upper left edge of the medal. Apollo masterfully controls his four winged stallions with one hand as they pull his chariot through the sky.

In the background the mighty lion is represented, which is the ascendant sign to Leo. The sign that is present at the time of birth governs our personality, and appearance. The hard working, loyal, and maybe somewhat conservative Leo’s will shine in 2010. Those born under the sign of Leo will find the year 2010 particularly meaningful.

On the other side of the medal all the Sundays are depicted as rays of sunlight emanating from the central figure underlining the bright year that 2010 represents.

The calendar medal has been an Austrian tradition since the 1930’s. Annually the medal changes to reflect a respective year’s regent and astrological ruler. The calendar medal is struck in 900 fine silver, weighs 26 grams and has a diameter of 40 millimetres.

The 2010 Lucky Token features our lucky friend, the chimney sweep takes flight, in a hot air balloon and travels the world. Warm soft breezes help him spread good luck through the four leaf clovers he sprinkles from above to all corners of the globe.

The other side of the token carries the traditional verse that loosely translated means: "Although I am small and round I will bring you luck all year round."

The lucky token has been an annual tradition since the 1930’s. People give them to their friends and family who will carry them for a year in their pockets and purses just for a wee bit of extra luck throughout the coming year.