By Boris Groendahl

VIENNA, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The Austrian Mint, which makesthe popular Philharmonic gold bullion coin, said on Thursday aspike in sales it has seen in May due to worries about Europe'seconomic future has abated considerably since June.

Sales of the coin, one of the best-selling worldwide,dropped 41 percent to 468,507 ounces in the year to end-Augustcompared to the same period in the "exceptional" year 2009, themint's Kerry Tattersall told Reuters.

"Sales were fulminant in April and May when many people wereunsettled in Europe because of the euro," Tattersall said."Since June the market has calmed down quite a bit, and ofcourse we also have a summer lull.

"At the moment, sales are quiet, there is no huge demand."

The Austrian Mint had sold more gold in the two weeks fromApril 26 than in the entire first quarter of the year because ofsoaring demand in Europe.

Tattersall said he expected the level of sales to remain atthe current level some 40 percent below last year's unless therewas a new bout of uncertainty pushing customers into gold again.

"I think we will probably remain at the 40 percent drop insales in the full year," he said. "We had this rate of declinethroughout the year with the exception of May."

Total gold sales, also including bars and other coins, alsodeclined by 40 percent to 1,007,000 ounces. (editing by James Jukwey)