Austria 50 Groschen: 1959-2001

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50 Groschen Info

Quick Coinage Facts

Years Minted: 1959-2001
Composition: 91.5% Copper, 8.5% Aluminum
Diameter: 19.5 mm
Weight: 3 grams  
Total Circulation Mintage: 571,858,400
Total Proof Mintage: 1,268,400
Edge: Grained

Introduction

Austria was one of the original European countries that converted to euro coinage during 2002. At that point in time, all previous coinage in the denominations of groschens & shillings were obsolete and no longer accepted for daily transactions.

One of the coin denominations retired due to the euro was the Shield 50 Groschen. Coins were first issued on October 1, 1959 and replaced the previous aluminum Imperial Eagle 50 Groschen. Coinage production continued until 2001 but 1998 to 2001 issues were only available in special uncirculated mint sets. On December 31, 2001 it would cease to be a valid denomination.

Design

The obverse was designed by Ferdinand Welz and features a large "50" to represent the value and a small alpine flower, the Gentian. Below the design is the year of issue and denomination “GROSCHEN”.

The reverse was designed by Hans Köttenstorfer and features the red-white-red shield of Austria encircled by "REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH".  

 

Obverse	Reverse

General Market Notes

Coins are readily available and no rarities exist.  Though not expensive, finding one in circulation will be near impossible due to the replacement by the euro. Examples will most likely be readily available at most coin shops or on-line auction sites or even friends & family members who saved the coins as a memento.

Mintages by Year

Year	Mintage	Proof	Notes
1959	14,122,000
1960	22,404,000	-
1961	19,891,000	-
1962	10,008,000	-
1963	9,483,000	-
1964	5,331,000	-
1965	15,007,000	-
1965	14,122,000	-
1966	7,322,000	-
1967	8,237,000	-
1968	7,726,200	15,400
1969	7,044,000	26,000
1970	2,865,200	128,000
1971	14,133,000	84,000
1972	17,287,000	80,000
1973	17,812,000	90,000
1974	15,776,000	76,000
1975	7,677,000	49,000
1976	11,106,000	44,000
1977	7,214,000	44,000
1978	12,364,000	43,000
1979	16,307,000	44,000
1980	29,836,000	48,000
1981	12,944,000	49,000
1982	9,900,000	50,000
1983	15,117,000	65,000
1984	20,677,000	65,000
1985	15,609,000	45,000
1986	16,974,000	42,000
1987	7,216,000	42,000
1988	16,222,000	39,000
1989	17,315,000	38,000
1990	29,618,000	35,000
1991	44,967,000	27,000
1992	2,000,000	-
1993	15,000,000	-
1994	10,000,000	-
1995	20,000,000	-
1996	15,000,000	-
1997	10,000,000	-
1998	25,000	-	Available in uncirculated mint sets only
1999	50,000	-	Available in uncirculated mint sets only
2000	75,000	-	Available in uncirculated mint sets only
2001	75,000	-	Available in uncirculated mint sets only

50 Groschens on Ebay

^{source data: http://austrian-mint.at/muenze_oesterreich?l=en}