Logo Title
obverse
reverse
Joseph Kunnappally
Context
Years: 1950–1994
Issuer: Austria Issuer flag
Period:
(since 1945)
Currency:
(1945—2001)
Demonetization: 28 February 2002
Total mintage: 210,629,400
Material
Diameter: 18.02 mm
Weight: 0.9 g
Thickness: 1.56 mm
Shape: Round
Composition: Aluminium (98.5% Aluminium, 1.5% Magnesium)
Magnetic: No
Technique: Milled
Alignment: Medal alignment
Obverse
OBVERSE ↑
flip
Reverse
REVERSE ↑
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboard2876
Numista: #745
Value
Exchange value: 0.02 ATS

Obverse

Description:
Austria's coat of arms features an eagle holding the national shield.
Engraver: Michael Powolny

Reverse

Description:
State name encircled by dots, denomination above, date below.
Inscription:
REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH

2

GROSCHEN

1968
Translation:
REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA

2

GROSCHEN

1968
Script: Latin
Language: German
Engraver: Benno Rost

Edge

Plain

Mints

NameMark
Münze Österreich

Mintings

YearMint MarkMintageQualityCollection
195021,862,000
1950Proof
1951Proof
19517,377,000
195237,851,000
1952Proof
195446,167,000
1954Proof
1957Proof
195726,923,000
1962Proof
19626,692,000
1964Proof
1964173,000
196514,475,000
1965Proof
19667,454,000
1966Proof
196713,000Proof
19681,803,400
196821,000Proof
196957,000Proof
1970260,000Proof
1971145,000Proof
1972132,000Proof
19722,763,000
19735,883,000
1973149,000Proof
19741,387,000
197493,000Proof
19751,096,000
197552,000Proof
19762,755,000
197645,000Proof
19771,837,000
197747,000Proof
197844,000Proof
19781,527,000
19792,434,000
197944,000Proof
19801,893,000
198048,000Proof
1981950,000
198149,000Proof
19823,950,000
198250,000Proof
19832,665,000
198365,000Proof
1984500,000
198465,000Proof
19851,060,000
198545,000Proof
19861,798,000
198642,000Proof
1987958,000
198742,000Proof
198839,000Proof
19881,061,000
1989950,000
198938,000Proof
199035,000Proof
19912,600,000
199127,000Proof
199225,000In sets
199225,000Proof
199335,000In sets
199328,000Proof
199425,000In sets

Historical background

In 1950, Austria was navigating a fragile post-war recovery, with its currency situation defined by the ongoing circulation of two distinct monetary units: the official Austrian Schilling (ÖS) and the occupying Allied Military Schilling (AM Schilling). The Austrian National Bank had been re-established in 1945 and reintroduced the Schilling, but the country, divided into four Allied occupation zones, also used currency issued by the Allied Military authorities. This dual system created practical complexities and symbolized Austria's limited sovereignty, as the nation remained under Allied control until the State Treaty of 1955.

Economically, the immediate post-war period was marked by severe shortages, a large black market, and inflationary pressures, though these were less catastrophic than the hyperinflation of the 1920s. A critical step toward stabilization was the "Schilling Law" of November 1947, which implemented a harsh currency conversion. This reform drastically reduced the money supply by limiting the exchange of old Reichsmarks and Allied Military Schillings for new Austrian Schillings, effectively wiping out a significant portion of cash savings to curb inflation. By 1950, this austerity measure had laid a foundation for price stability, but the economy remained weak, heavily dependent on Marshall Plan aid which began in 1948.

Therefore, the currency situation in 1950 was one of cautious transition from crisis management to nascent stability. The Austrian Schilling was gaining full authority, but within the context of a controlled economy still burdened by war damage, reconstruction costs, and occupation. The year fell within the pivotal period where the groundwork for the future "economic miracle" (Wirtschaftswunder) of the 1950s was being laid, with a stabilized currency as its essential precondition, even as the nation awaited full political and economic independence.
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