Austria

About Austria banknotes

The Austro-Hungarian Bank issued notes in German and Hungarian for the whole empire until 1918. After the empire collapsed, old notes were overprinted for the new Austrian republic, and towns printed their own small-change notes, called Notgeld, in 1919–1921. The schilling followed in 1925 and, apart from the Reichsmark years of 1938–1945, remained Austria's currency until the euro in 2002.

See also: Hungary, Germany, World War I banknotes and vouchers and local notes.

Frequently asked questions

What is Notgeld?

Emergency money printed by towns and regions, mainly in 1919–1921, when small change ran short after the First World War. The designs are often colourful and local.

Why are Austro-Hungarian notes in two languages?

The empire was a dual monarchy, so notes carried German text on one side and Hungarian on the other.

When did Austria adopt the euro?

Euro notes and coins replaced the schilling on 1 January 2002.

Are your Austria banknotes genuine?

Yes. Every Austria note we sell is a genuine banknote, never a copy or replica. Each listing states the grade, gives the Pick catalogue number where one exists and shows the front and back, and every order ships tracked from Hungary.