Lexi Webster
The Austrian schilling was the currency of Austria from 1925 to 1938 and from 1945 until it was replaced by the euro in 2002. The schilling was divided into 100 groschen. The Austrian Mint issued Austrian Schilling coins in 10 different denominations. The schilling coins came in several different sizes, depending on their value. For example, the 50 schilling coin weighed 8.15g and measured 26.5mm across, while the 1 groschen coin was made from zinc.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Currency | Austrian Schilling |
| Country | Austria |
| Currency Symbol | S or öS |
| Currency Replaced By | Euro |
| Currency Replaced Year | 2002 |
| Currency Used From | 1925 |
| Currency Used Until | 1938, 1945-1999 |
| Denominations | 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 groschen, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 1000 schilling |
| Denominations (Gold Coins) | 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 schilling |
| Denominations (Silver Coins) | 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 schilling |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
History of the Austrian schilling
The Austrian schilling was a former currency of Austria from 1925 to 1938 and from 1945 to 1999, and the circulating currency until 2002. The schilling was divided into 100 groschen. The word "schilling" comes from the name given to the minted gold solidus, the late antique successor of the aureus. The schilling was established by the Schilling Act (Schillingrechnungsgesetz) of 20 December 1924, at a rate of one schilling to 10,000 kronen and issued on 1 March 1925.
In medieval Austria, there were short and long schilling coins, valued at 12 and 30 pfennigs respectively. The schilling was a currency unit for 30 pfennigs or 7+1⁄2 kreuzers until 1857. The Austrian groschen (also known as the Kaisergroschen, or "emperor's groat") was a silver coin worth 12 pfennigs or 3 kreuzers.
In December 1923, the Austrian parliament authorized the issue of silver coins at a denomination of half schilling, schilling, and double schilling. The first schilling note was issued two years later, in 1925, at a denomination of 100 schillings. The schilling was abolished in 1938 following Germany's annexation of Austria, when it was exchanged at a rate of 1.50 schillings for one Reichsmark.
The schilling was reintroduced after World War II on 30 November 1945 by the Allied Military, who issued paper money in denominations of 50 groschen, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, and 1000 schillings. The Nationalbank also began issuing schilling notes in 1945, and the first coins were issued in 1946. With a second "schilling" law on 21 November 1947, new banknotes were introduced. The currency stabilized in the 1950s, with the schilling being tied to the U.S. dollar at a rate of $1 = 26 schillings.
In 1957, silver 10-schilling coins were introduced, followed in 1959 by aluminium-bronze 50-groschen and 1-schilling coins, and in 1960 by silver 5-schilling coins. In 1969, cupro-nickel replaced silver in 5-schilling coins, and in 1974, it replaced silver in 10-schilling coins. An aluminium-bronze 20-schilling coin was introduced in 1980.
The schilling was replaced by the euro in 2002. The euro was introduced at a fixed parity of €1 = 13.7603 schillings.
Austria's National Soccer Team: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Denominations of schilling coins
The Austrian schilling was a former currency of Austria from 1925 to 1938 and from 1945 to 1999, and the circulating currency until 2002. The schilling was divided into 100 groschen.
In medieval Austria, there were short and long schilling coins, valued at 12 and 30 pfennigs respectively. Until 1857, the schilling was a currency unit for 30 pfennigs or 7+1⁄2 kreuzers. The Austrian groschen (also known as the Kaisergroschen) was a silver coin worth 12 pfennigs or 3 kreuzers.
The Schilling Act (Schillingrechnungsgesetz) of 20 December 1924 established the schilling at a rate of one schilling to 10,000 kronen. The schilling was issued on 1 March 1925. The schilling was abolished in 1938 following Germany's annexation of Austria, when it was exchanged at a rate of 1.50 schilling for one Reichsmark.
The schilling was reintroduced after World War II on 30 November 1945 by the Allied Military, who issued paper money in denominations of 50 groschen, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, and 1000 schillings. In 1947, new banknotes were introduced, and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 groschen; and 1, 2, and 5 schillings were introduced. The 1, 5, 10, and 50 groschen were initially made from leftover blanks from wartime pfennig issues. The 2 and 50 groschen; 1, 2, and 5 schilling were struck in aluminium, as was the second type of 10 groschen coin. The 1 and 5 groschen and the first type of 10 groschen were in zinc, with the 20 groschen struck in aluminium-bronze. The 1 groschen was only struck in 1947, while the 20 groschen and 2 schilling coins were suspended from production in 1954 and 1952, respectively.
In 1957, silver 10 schilling coins were introduced, followed in 1959 by aluminium-bronze 50 groschen and 1 schilling, and in 1960 by silver 5 schilling coins. In the 1950s, the composition of the 5 schilling coins changed from aluminium to silver. Cupro-nickel replaced silver in the 5 and 10 schilling coins in 1969 and 1974, respectively. An aluminium-bronze 20 schilling coin was introduced in 1980. Silver coins were in the value of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 schilling, but gold coins also existed for 500 and 1,000 schilling.
At the time of the changeover to the euro, the coins in circulation were the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 schilling.
Christmas Cheer in Austria: A Month-Long Celebration
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Composition of schilling coins
The composition of schilling coins has changed over time. The schilling was established by the Schilling Act (Schillingrechnungsgesetz) on 20 December 1924, and issued on 1 March 1925. It was abolished in 1938 following Germany's annexation of Austria and was reintroduced after World War II on 30 November 1945.
The Groschen is a subunit of the Schilling, with 1 Schilling equal to 100 Groschen. The 1 Groschen coin is made from zinc and features the Austrian coat of arms. The 2 and 50 Groschen, 1, 2, and 5 Schilling coins were struck in aluminium, while the 20 Groschen was struck in aluminium-bronze. The 10 Groschen coin had two types: the first was in zinc, and the second was in aluminium.
In 1957, silver 10 Schilling coins were introduced, followed by aluminium-bronze 50 Groschen and 1 Schilling in 1959, and silver 5 Schilling coins in 1960. This change from aluminium to silver in the 5 Schilling coins was a highly unusual event. In 1969, cupro-nickel replaced silver in the 5 Schilling coins, and in 1974, it did the same for the 10 Schilling coins. An aluminium-bronze 20 Schilling coin was introduced in 1980.
Silver coins were available in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Schilling, while gold coins existed for 500 and 1,000 Schilling. The gold coins were considered legal tender but were rarely used in transactions. The 1,000 Schilling gold coin was first issued in 1976 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the advent of the Babenberg Dynasty.
The schilling was the official currency of Austria until 1999 when it was replaced by the euro, which was introduced at a fixed parity of €1 = 13.7603 schillings. Old schilling coins and notes were phased out from circulation by 28 February 2002.
The German Annexation of Austria: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Design features of schilling coins
The schilling was a former currency of Austria from 1925 to 1938 and from 1945 to 1999, and the circulating currency until 2002. The schilling was divided into 100 groschen and consisted of 12 silver pfennigs. The Austrian Mint is one of the oldest in the world and is known for its advanced manufacturing techniques and high production quality. Austrian schilling gold coins are highly sought after and steeped in history.
The design of the schilling coins varied depending on the denomination and the period in which they were issued. Here are some of the key design features of the schilling coins:
- Obverse Side: The obverse side of Austrian schillings often featured different designs. For example, the 1000 schilling coin depicted St. Leopold, the patron saint of Austria, while the 25 schilling coin featured a simple design of the coin's value and two edelweiss sprays.
- Reverse Side: The reverse side of the gold schillings invariably featured the Austrian Imperial Eagle, the logo REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH, and the designer's name, Hartig. The eagle is shown holding a hammer and sickle, which in the context of Austrian schillings, represent agriculture and industry, respectively. The date of issue is typically divided by two wheat sprigs.
- Commemorative Issues: The Austrian Mint has a tradition of issuing commemorative coins, such as the 1989 Gustav Klimt/Art Nouveau 500-shilling silver piece. These coins are well-made, artistic, and highly valued.
- Metal Composition: The metal composition of schilling coins changed over time. For example, the 5 schilling coins initially consisted of aluminium, but in the 1950s, they changed to silver, and later to cupro-nickel in 1969. Other coins, such as the 10 schilling, were made of silver, while the 20 schilling coin introduced in 1980 was made of aluminium-bronze.
- Denominations: The schilling coins came in various denominations, including 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, and 1000 schillings. The lower denomination coins, such as the 1, 5, 10, and 50 groschen, were made from different metals like zinc and aluminium.
- Visual Motifs: Some schilling coins featured visual motifs that represented Austria and its history. For example, the 20 schilling coin depicted nine people standing, representing the nine Austrian provinces, with the centre figure holding the Austrian shield.
The Importance of Skirting Austrian Pines: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Exchange and value of schilling coins
The schilling was a currency of Austria from 1925 to 1938 and from 1945 to 1999, and it continued to circulate until 2002 when it was replaced by the euro. The schilling was divided into 100 groschen, with 1 groschen being 1/100 of a schilling.
The value of the schilling fluctuated over the years. In 1924, the schilling was established at a rate of one schilling to 10,000 kronen. In 1938, when the schilling was abolished following Germany's annexation of Austria, the exchange rate was 1.50 schillings for one Reichsmark. In the 1950s, the schilling was tied to the US dollar at a rate of $1 to 26 schillings. After the breakdown of the Bretton Woods system in 1971, the schilling was tied to a basket of currencies until 1976, when it was coupled to the German mark. Finally, the euro was introduced at a fixed parity of €1 to 13.7603 schillings.
Austrian schilling coins and banknotes that were valid at the time of the introduction of the euro in 2002 can still be exchanged for euros at any branch of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank. Online exchange services also offer to convert leftover schilling coins to cash, with users able to see how much their schillings are worth before completing the exchange.
The value of specific schilling coins varied based on their composition and rarity. Gold coins existed for 500 and 1,000 schillings, while silver coins were in the value of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 schillings. The 50-schilling coin, for example, weighed 8.15g and measured 26.5mm across. Lower denomination coins, such as the 1, 2, and 5 groschen, were made from zinc, while others, like the 1, 2, and 5 schilling, were struck in aluminium.
Discovering MK Austria: Its Unique Identity and Offerings
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The schilling was a former currency of Austria from 1925 to 1938 and from 1945 to 1999, and the circulating currency until 2002.
The 50 Austrian schilling coin weighs 8.15g and measures 26.5mm across.
The 20 Austrian schilling coin has not had its size listed, however, it is described as bimetallic with a common front side and several different versions of the backside.
The size of the 10 Austrian schilling coin has not been listed, however, it features a woman in folk clothing and is inscribed with the words 'Republik Österreich'.
The size of the 5 Austrian schilling coin has not been listed, however, it features a shield, the Austrian coat of arms, and is inscribed with the text 'Republik Österreich'.
