The German government has decided to mint a €35 collectors’ coin entitled “150 years of the Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth”, which is scheduled for issue on 23 July 2026.

The coin pays tribute to the renowned music theatre festival and its great significance to the world of classical music and opera. Today, the Bayreuth Festival is a central component of German and international cultural history.

The coin is made of sterling silver (alloy Ag 925). It weighs 18 g, has a diameter of 32.5 mm and will be made available both in mint condition and with a proof-like finish. The mint condition coins will be brought into circulation at their face value (€35). The issue price of the collector quality coins with a proof-like finish will be higher than their face value. The collector quality coins with a proof-like finish will be priced higher than their face value and can be ordered from Münze Deutschland (Germany’s official sales agency for collector coins).

The artist Ulrich Böhme from Stuttgart designed the coin.

The picture side skilfully combines Richard Wagner’s portrait in a slight three-quarter view with a cross-section of the Festspielhaus, the Bayreuth Festival Theatre, on its famous green hill. The meticulously crafted profile view draws on the iconic depiction of the visionary Wagner in his velvet beret. The portrait is accompanied by a plaque bearing the composer’s name. The image of the Festspielhaus, opened up to the onlooker, is not only impressive for its high degree of detail, but also for its idea of depicting an architectural cut-out of the entire Festspielhaus with its auditorium, stage tower, legendary recessed and covered Bayreuth orchestra pit and backstage area. The modern composition of portrait and architecture rests on a monumental text block, which marks the occasion of the coin’s minting in a slab serif typeface.

The reverse features an eagle, the words “BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND”, the value and denomination, the letter “D” for the Bavarian State Mint in Munich, the year 2026 and the twelve stars of Europe. In addition, the words “SILBER 925” are minted on the coin.

The coin’s smooth edge is engraved with the inscription:

“WAGNER BEGINNT, WENN BAYREUTH SPIELT ♪” (“WAGNER BEGINS WHEN BAYREUTH PLAYS”)