Understanding the Austrian Schilling Currency

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Portugal and Austria passports displayed with Euro currency notes on European map background.
Credit: pexels.com, Portugal and Austria passports displayed with Euro currency notes on European map background.

The Austrian Schilling was the official currency of Austria from 1925 to 2002, and it's fascinating to learn about its history.

The Austrian Schilling was introduced in 1925 to replace the Austro-Hungarian Krone, which had been in use since the 19th century.

It was divided into 100 Groschen, with coins ranging from 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Groschen, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Schilling coins.

The Austrian Schilling was pegged to the German Mark until 1995, when it was pegged to the European Currency Unit (ECU), a precursor to the Euro.

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History

The Austrian schilling has a rich history that spans centuries. It was introduced in 794 AD as a coin of account following the Carolingian coin reform.

Initially, the schilling was only a unit of account, but later it became a physical coin produced in many European countries. The schilling was divided into 12 silver pfennigs.

Austrian and Portuguese passports on a European map with euro banknotes.
Credit: pexels.com, Austrian and Portuguese passports on a European map with euro banknotes.

Before the modern Austrian schilling, several currencies preceded it. These include the florin, which was divided into 8 schillings, and the Austro-Hungarian gulden, which was divided into 100 Neukreuzer.

The Austro-Hungarian krone was introduced in 1892 upon adoption of the gold standard, and the Austrian crown was introduced in 1919 upon the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

In mediaeval Austria, there were short and long schilling coins, valued at 12 and 30 pfennigs respectively. The Austrian groschen was a silver coin worth 12 pfennigs.

Here's a breakdown of the currencies that preceded the modern Austrian schilling:

Banknotes and Coins

The Austrian Schilling had a diverse range of banknotes and coins throughout its history. The first banknotes were introduced in 1925 in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 100, and 1,000 Schillinge.

In 1927-1929, a second series of banknotes was added, featuring 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 schilling notes. The 1 Schilling note was eventually replaced by a coin.

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Man Holding a Banknote
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Here's a brief overview of some notable banknotes:

The Austrian Schilling also had a range of coins, including the Schilling circulation coins, which could be exchanged indefinitely. Silver Schilling coins issued from 1955 to 2001 could be exchanged at their face value.

Banknotes

In 1925, the Austrian National Bank introduced banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 100, and 1,000 Schillinge.

The first series of notes had a unique plural spelling of "Schillinge". A second series was added in 1927-1929 with notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 schilling.

The one Schilling note was later replaced by a coin. The Allied forces introduced notes in 1945, which were dated 1944 and came in denominations of 50 groschen, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, and 1,000 schilling.

These notes remained valid until 1947. The National Bank also introduced notes in 1945, in denominations of 10, 20, 100, and 1,000 schilling.

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Detailed close-up of multiple overlapping euro banknotes depicting currency and finance themes.
Credit: pexels.com, Detailed close-up of multiple overlapping euro banknotes depicting currency and finance themes.

The Allied currency with smaller values up to 5 schilling remained valid until 1947. A banknote reform in 1947 led to the issuance of new notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 1,000 schilling.

The first 500 schilling banknote was issued in 1957, and the 5 and 10 schilling notes were later replaced by coins. However, the 20 schilling note continued to be produced until 1980.

In 1980, 20 schilling coins were introduced, but the note continued to be produced. The 5,000 schilling note was introduced in 1988.

Here's a list of some of the notable features of the 1983 and 1997 series of banknotes:

The 1997 series of banknotes introduced new designs and features.

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Coins for Indefinite Exchange

If you're looking to exchange your Schilling coins for a higher value, you're in luck. The OeNB exchanges all silver Schilling coins issued from 1955 to 2001 at their face value, which is a great option.

You can exchange coins like the 25 ATS, 50 ATS, 100 ATS, and 500 ATS silver Schilling coins for their face value. This is a great way to get some cash back.

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Banknotes and Coins

Silver Round Coins on Banknote
Credit: pexels.com, Silver Round Coins on Banknote

The Austrian schilling was a currency that existed from 1945 to 2002, and during that time, there were several changes to the banknotes and coins.

The first schilling banknotes were issued in 1945 by the Allied Military, and they had a denomination of 50 groschen up to 100 schilling. They could be exchanged for new notes at par for the first 150 schilling and at a rate of 1 new schilling for 3 old schillings thereafter.

In 1946, the first coins were introduced, but they were not affected by the reform in 1947. The currency stabilized in the 1950s, with the schilling being tied to the U.S. dollar at a rate of $1 = 26 schilling.

Old schilling denominated coins and notes were phased out from circulation by 28 February 2002, due to the introduction of the euro.

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Specific Banknotes and Coins

The Austrian Schilling had a wide range of banknotes in circulation.

Vintage-themed black and white photo of a couple in a 1920s setting with money flying around.
Credit: pexels.com, Vintage-themed black and white photo of a couple in a 1920s setting with money flying around.

In 1925, the Austrian National Bank introduced notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 100, and 1,000 Schillinge.

The 1983 series of banknotes featured notable Austrians on the front, including Moritz Daffinger, Sigmund Freud, Eugen von Böhm-Bawerk, and Otto Wagner.

Here are the specific details of the 1983 series banknotes:

Coins

Coins can be a fascinating topic, especially when it comes to their exchange deadlines. Some 5 and 10 schilling silver coins, like those from 1961 and 1957, can no longer be exchanged at the OeNB due to expired deadlines.

These coins have specific features that differ from their cupronickel counterparts, which can be exchanged indefinitely. For example, the 5 schilling silver coin from 1961 has a ridged edge and a Bindenschild (striped shield) on the obverse side.

The 5 and 10 schilling silver coins that ceased to be legal tender in 1969 and 1975, respectively, have unique characteristics. The 5 schilling silver coin from 1969 has a smooth edge and a Bindenschild on the obverse side, while the 10 schilling silver coin from 1957 has a ridged edge and a Goldhaube (golden headdress) on the obverse side.

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Ataturk on Turkish Money
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Here's a summary of the key details for these coins:

100 Gold 1925-1934

The 100 Gold coin was introduced in Austria on 1st March 1925, following the Schilling Act of 20th December 1924.

This coin was one of the first gold coins of the new Schilling currency, minted in addition to the 25 Schilling gold coin. The 100 Schilling gold coin was a significant addition to the Austrian currency.

The coin has a purity of 900/1000 and a fineness of 21.17g, with a total weight of 23.523g. Its diameter is 33.0mm.

At the center of the coin is the federal eagle of the first Republic, surrounded by a circle with dots. The eagle is decorated with a red coat of arms with criss-crossed silver crossbar.

The eagle carries a sickle blade turned inwards on the right and a hammer on the left, giving it a distinct appearance.

The

The "The" is a unique and essential word in the world of specific banknotes and coins. It's a definite article that precedes a noun, like "the $100 bill" or "the 50p coin".

A creative composition using euro banknotes and coins to represent savings and financial structure.
Credit: pexels.com, A creative composition using euro banknotes and coins to represent savings and financial structure.

In the context of specific banknotes, the "The" is often used to denote a particular note, such as "the 10 Euro note" or "the 20 Pound note". This is especially useful for collectors and enthusiasts who need to identify and reference specific notes.

The "The" is also used to describe specific coins, like "the 1 Cent coin" or "the 2 Euro coin". This helps to clarify which coin is being referred to, especially when dealing with multiple denominations.

In the world of numismatics, the "The" is an important part of the language, helping collectors and enthusiasts to communicate effectively about specific banknotes and coins.

Introduction and Overview

The Austrian Schilling was the official currency of Austria from 1925 to 2002, and it's interesting to note that it was divided into 100 groschen. The Schilling was introduced as a replacement for the Austro-Hungarian Krone, which had been the currency of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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Close-up of various Euro banknotes scattered on a surface, highlighting European currency.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of various Euro banknotes scattered on a surface, highlighting European currency.

The Austrian Schilling was pegged to the German Mark at a rate of 1:1, which had a significant impact on the country's economy. This pegging was maintained until 1999, when Austria adopted the Euro as its official currency.

The Schilling was widely used in Austria, and it was accepted as a form of payment in many businesses and institutions. People in Austria were familiar with the Schilling, and it was a part of their daily lives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to do with Austrian Schillings?

Exchange your Austrian Schillings for euros at the OeNB, which accepts unlimited amounts of banknotes and coins of the last series for an unlimited period

Does Austria still use the shilling?

No, Austria no longer uses the schilling as its official currency, having replaced it with the euro in 2002. The euro has been the official currency of Austria since then.

Joan Lowe-Schiller

Assigning Editor

Joan Lowe-Schiller serves as an Assigning Editor, overseeing a diverse range of architectural and design content. Her expertise lies in Brazilian architecture, a passion that has led to in-depth coverage of the region's innovative structures and cultural influences. Under her guidance, the publication has expanded its reach, offering readers a deeper understanding of the architectural landscape in Brazil.

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