The Fifty Groschen was worth one half of a schilling, and was a small circulating denomination of the Austrian Schilling, which was restored as the currency of the Republic of Austria when the republic itself was restored after World War II in 1945. Between 1947 and 1952, coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 groschen; and 1, 2, and 5 schilling were introduced. The first type of 50 groschen was struck in aluminium, but this was soon changed to a second type of 50 groschen in aluminium bronze. The latter was issued in circulation quantities from 1959 until 1997, and for collectors' sets until 2001.
Together with all the other Schilling coinage, the 50 Groschen denomination was demonetised after 28 February 2002 when the country changed to the Euro currency. |
Reverse | |
The design of the denomination changed when the initial aluminium coins were replaced by a new aluminium bronze type.
The first reverse (1946 - 1955) shows a large numeral 50 for the value at centre, overlaid on a shield displaying the national flag, behind which two crossed sheafs of wheat. The value is given again in words above: FÜNFZIG (fifty), with denomination GROSCHEN around below. The date is small and is below the shield, divided in two by its bottom point.
The second reverse (1959 - 2001) has a large numeral 50 for the value at centre (with a gentian flower behind the zero), and the denomination GROSCHEN around below; the date is small and is below the value. |
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