Austria and Euro Adoption

Austria, located in Central Europe, is a country surrounded by several other nations, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Its landscape is characterized by a combination of mountains, valleys and lakes, with the Alps running through it.

With regard to the adoption of the euro, Austria was one of the founding countries of the euro zone, and adopted the single European currency, the euro, as soon as it came into circulation on January 1, 2002. Prior to this, Austria's former currency was the Austrian schilling. Austria played an active role in introducing and promoting the euro in the region.

Austrian euro coins have specific designs representing various elements of the country's culture, history and heritage. The national sides of the coins display symbolic and significant images, such as historical figures, iconic buildings and cultural motifs.

More specifically

• 1 cent coin: A gentian flower surrounded by the face value in full German letters EIN EURO CENT and, at the bottom, the Austrian flag surmounted by the year. The whole is surrounded by the 12 stars of the European flag in a ring.
• 2-centime coin: An edelweiss flower surrounded by the face value in German ZWEI EURO CENT and, at the bottom, the Austrian flag surmounted by the year. The whole is surrounded by the 12 stars of the European flag in a ring.
• 5-centime coin: An Alpine primrose surrounded by the face value in full German FÜNF EURO CENT and, at the bottom, the Austrian flag surmounted by the year of issue. The whole is surrounded by the 12 stars of the European flag in a ring.
• 10 centime coin: Part of the roof and bell tower of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, to illustrate the Gothic architecture. Above the roof, the denomination 10 EURO CENT and the Austrian flag. The whole is surrounded by the 12 stars of the European flag in a ring.
• 20 centime coin: The entrance portal to the Belvedere Palace in Vienna, through which the upper Belvedere can be seen, to illustrate Baroque architecture. The entrance features the denomination 20, surmounted by the Austrian flag and the year. Above the portal, the words EURO CENT complete the face value. The whole is surrounded by the 12 stars of the European flag in a ring.
• 50-centime coin: The facade of the Secession Palace in Vienna, illustrating Art Nouveau. At the top, in an arc, the face value 50 EURO CENT. On the right, the vertical Austrian flag and the year. The whole is surrounded by the 12 stars of the European flag in a ring.
• 1 euro coin: The bust of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), facing slightly to the right, with his signature on his right shoulder. On the right is the face value, in two lines, 1 EURO, above the Austrian flag. On the left, the year. The whole is surrounded by the 12 stars of the European flag on the outer ring.
• 2 EURO coin: The bust of Austrian pacifist Bertha von Suttner (1843-1914), Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1905, turned slightly to the left. On the left is the face value, in two lines, 2 EURO, above the Austrian flag. On the right, the year of issue. The whole is surrounded by the 12 stars of the European flag on the outer ring.

In this section, you'll find all the official Euro coins since Austria joined the Euro zone in 2002(BU, BE, 2 Euro Commemorative Austria, 25 Euro Niobium...)