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20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I Gold Coin — Münze Österreich restrike with the 1915 date in the crown standard 900/1000

The 20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I gold coin is a new strike (restrike, German Nachprägung) of Münze Österreich — the Austrian state mint in Vienna — struck since 1920 with the original 1915 date as the reference date. The coin retains the full historic specification of the 20 Crowns of Austria-Hungary: gross mass 6.7751 g, pure-gold mass 6.0975 g, fineness 900/1000 (NOTE: crown standard, NOT ducat standard), diameter 21.0 mm, thickness approx. 1.3 mm. Obverse features the portrait of Franz Joseph I (older head), reverse — the Habsburg double-headed eagle with the inscription 20 CORONA and the 1915 date. The Austro-Hungarian crown was introduced by the 1892 currency reform (1 gulden = 2 crowns) and was in force until abolition in 1918; in 1925 the Austrian schilling was introduced. The coin is VAT-exempt in the EU as a legal-tender coin with a fineness ≥900/1000 struck after 1800. Market premium typically 3-6% over spot — one of the lowest premiums among historic European gold coins.

Technical specification

Why 20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I deserves a place in your portfolio

• LMU equivalence — 6.0975 g gold in the classic 900/1000 standard: the 20 Crowns Austria offers 6.0975 g pure gold in 900/1000 fineness — weight almost identical to the napoleon (20 francs LMU, 5.80645 g) and the 20 Swiss francs Vreneli (5.80645 g). The Austro-Hungarian crown introduced by the 1892 reform was constructed in reference to the Latin Monetary Union (LMU) standard, which enabled interchangeability and acceptance in European international trade of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The 900 fineness is the standard of all main European historic coins.
• Low market premium 3-6% — one of the lowest among historic coins: restrike 20 Crowns Austria have one of the lowest market premiums among historic European gold coins — typically 3-6% over spot. This is the result of combining mass availability (over 100 years of Münze Österreich restrike), standard 900 fineness and the absence of vintage collector value (1915 date as fixed inscription). For comparison, premium on napoleons is typically 4-8%, Vreneli 4-7%, Edward VII sovereigns 5-8% — 20 Crowns are the cheapest alternative in the segment of historic coins in the "1/5 oz" class.
• Classic Austro-Hungarian design — Anton Scharff and double-headed eagle: obverse features the portrait of Franz Joseph I (older head, design by Anton Scharff), reverse — the imperial Habsburg double-headed eagle with the inscription 20 CORONA. The design was designed by Anton Scharff (1845-1903), chief medallist of the Vienna Mint, as part of a unified concept of Austro-Hungarian coin designs of the 1892 reform era. The design is the standard for all 20 Crowns issues 1892-1918 and Münze Österreich restrikes 1920-present.
• LBMA Good Delivery manufacturer — Münze Österreich since 1962: 20 Crowns Austria are produced by Münze Österreich — the oldest operating European mint (established 1194) with LBMA Good Delivery accreditation since 1962. The LBMA accreditation guarantees the highest international refining standards for all products (Philharmonics, ducats, crowns). The legal-tender status of the Republic of Austria and the state production guarantee ensure investment security and acceptance in interbank trading.
• Historic-coin portfolio diversification — Austrian LMU-compatible segment: 20 Crowns Austria are a natural complement to a historic-coin portfolio alongside French napoleons (20F), Swiss Vreneli (20F), Italian 20 lire and Belgian 20F. All these coins have comparable weight (5.80-6.10 g pure gold) and identical 900 fineness — they give exposure to various European state mints of the late 19th century (Paris, Bern, Vienna, Rome, Brussels). Geographic diversification increases portfolio resilience to regional market risks.

History of 20 Crowns Austria and the 1892 currency reform

The Austro-Hungarian crown was introduced by the Austro-Hungarian currency reform of 21 May 1892 — by the currency reform act, which replaced the previous gulden (Konventionsgulden, later Austrian gulden) with the new crown currency. The exchange rate was set at 1 gulden = 2 crowns. The 1892 reform was part of a broader European movement of transition from silver to gold as the basic bank currency (gold standard) — Austria-Hungary adopted a three-tier system: the bank issued banknotes exchangeable for gold, the crown was anchored in the gold parity (1 crown = 0.304878 g gold), silver and copper circulation coins were retained for smaller denominations.

Gold crown coins were introduced in 1892 in three denominations: 10 crowns, 20 crowns and 100 crowns. 20 crowns became the most popular gold denomination in circulation — the average weight (6.0975 g pure gold) was close to the napoleon (5.80645 g) and Vreneli (5.80645 g), which facilitated comparisons and interchangeability with coins of neighbouring European states. 100 crowns was a prestige denomination (5× greater weight, 30.49 g pure gold), used mainly in international trade and hoarding. 10 crowns was the smallest denomination (3.04875 g pure gold), intended for everyday circulation.

The designer of the gold crown coins, including 20 crowns, was Anton Scharff (1845-1903) — chief medallist of the Vienna Mint, also author of the designs of ducats (1872) and 4 ducats (1872). The 20 crowns design features on the obverse the portrait of Franz Joseph I (older head, stylistically identical to the ducat portrait) and the inscription FRANC IOS I D G IMP AVSTR REX BOH GAL ET REX AP HVNG — "Franz Joseph I, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, Galicia and Apostolic King of Hungary". The full title covers all key Habsburg states. The reverse features the imperial Habsburg double-headed eagle with the inscription 20 CORONA (denomination) and the mintage year.

After the First World War and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1918, the crown was abolished as a unified currency — Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia (successor states) introduced their own national currencies. In Austria, the Austrian schilling was introduced in 1925 (1 schilling = 10,000 crowns), and in Czechoslovakia the Czechoslovak crown (name retained but as a separate currency). Despite abolition as a currency, Münze Österreich continued from 1920 the striking of 20 and 100 crown gold coins as restrike with the 1915 date as fixed inscription — response to West European market demand for classic historic LMU-compatible coins.

The 20 Crowns restrike of Münze Österreich retains the full specification of the 1892-1915 originals: mass 6.7751 g gross, pure gold 6.0975 g, fineness 900/1000, diameter 21.0 mm, obverse with portrait of Franz Joseph I, reverse with double-headed eagle and inscription 20 CORONA. The difference from the originals is limited to the date (1915 as fixed inscription) and the production method (modern dies, more uniform relief, no signs of circulation). Münze Österreich has continued the striking of "1915" 20 crowns uninterruptedly since 1920 — that is over 100 years of continuous restriking, paralleling the ducat restrike. The production scale of 20 crowns is significantly larger than the Quadruple Ducat restrike, which translates into a lower market premium (3-6% vs 4-7% for Quadruple Ducat restrike).

Obverse — portrait of Franz Joseph I by Anton Scharff

The obverse of the 20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I coin features the portrait of Franz Joseph I (1830-1916, reign 1848-1916) — the longest-reigning Habsburg (68 years on the throne). The emperor is shown in right profile, with beard and moustache in the style known from official portraits of the late 19th century — older head, stylistically identical to the 1872 ducat portrait. Around the portrait is the extended Latin inscription FRANC IOS I D G IMP AVSTR REX BOH GAL ET REX AP HVNG — "Franz Joseph I, by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, Galicia and Apostolic King of Hungary" — a fuller titulature than on the ducats (which used the abbreviated formula FRANC IOS I D G AVSTRIAE IMPERATOR).

The designer of the 1892 design (year of the currency reform and introduction of crowns) is Anton Scharff (1845-1903) — Viennese medallist and engraver, chief medallist of the Vienna Mint at the end of the 19th century. Scharff designed most Austro-Hungarian coins of the Franz Joseph I era: ducats (1872), 4 ducats (1872), all gold crown coins — 10, 20 and 100 crowns (1892), and numerous commemorative medals. The 20 crowns design of 1892 is stylistically coherent with the 1872 ducat design — Scharff designed the older head of Franz Joseph, with beard and moustache, but on the 20 crowns the head is slightly differently framed due to different coin proportions (21.0 mm vs 19.75 mm).

The extended obverse inscription FRANC IOS I D G IMP AVSTR REX BOH GAL ET REX AP HVNG (Franciscus Iosephus I Dei Gratia Imperator Austriae, Rex Bohemiae, Galiciae et Rex Apostolicus Hungariae) covers the fuller titulature of the Austro-Hungarian monarch. "IMP AVSTR" — Imperator Austriae (Emperor of Austria), "REX BOH GAL" — Rex Bohemiae, Galiciae (King of Bohemia, Galicia), "REX AP HVNG" — Rex Apostolicus Hungariae (Apostolic King of Hungary). The title "Apostolic King of Hungary" is historically particularly important — granted to Saint Stephen I (first king of Hungary, crowned 1000) by Pope Sylvester II, continued by all Hungarian monarchs until the end of the monarchy in 1918.

The 20 Crowns restrike of Münze Österreich retains Scharff's 1892 portrait design without modifications — all restrike 20 crowns have an identical obverse. The design is stable for over 130 years of continuous production (originals 1892-1918 + restrike 1920-present). For the investor and collector this means product standardisation — no portrait variants occur in the restrike, and original circulation issues of various 1892-1918 vintages have an identical obverse design (they differ only in annual date and possibly mint marks).

Reverse — imperial Habsburg double-headed eagle with inscription 20 CORONA

The reverse of the 20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I coin features the imperial Habsburg double-headed eagle (Doppeladler) — symbol of the Austrian Empire since 1804 and of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy since 1867 (after the Ausgleich — the Austro-Hungarian Compromise). The eagle is composed at a smaller scale than on the ducats (21.0 mm diameter of 20 crowns vs 39.5 mm of the Quadruple Ducat) — Anton Scharff's design was adapted to the crown coin format taking the denomination inscription into account. On the reverse are: double-headed eagle with crowns, sceptres and shield, inscription 20 CORONA (denomination), date 1915 (fixed on restrikes) and subtle mint marks.

The inscription 20 CORONA — Latin form for "20 crowns" — is a characteristic element of the reverse of all Austrian crown coins (10 CORONA for 10 crowns, 20 CORONA for 20 crowns, 100 CORONA for 100 crowns). The full form "CORONA" instead of the abbreviated "COR" or German "KRONE" reflects the Latin character of the monetary inscription of Austria-Hungary — all inscriptions on the coins (FRANC IOS I, REX BOH GAL, IMP AVSTR, 20 CORONA) are in Latin, linguistically neutral in the multi-ethnic monarchy. On the Hungarian side of the monarchy there existed separate issues with the Hungarian inscription "20 KORONA" (Hungarian form), but standard Austrian 20 crowns bear the Latin inscription "20 CORONA".

The double-headed eagle design from 1892 — by Anton Scharff — is the standard for all Austrian 20 crowns of issues 1892-1918 and Münze Österreich restrikes 1920-present. The central shield of the eagle contains the smaller arms of the constituent states of the monarchy — with emphasis on Austria (empire) according to the Austrian variant of 20 crowns (the Hungarian variant 20 KORONA has a differently composed shield with emphasis on the Crown of Saint Stephen and Hungarian symbols). The crowns above the eagle's heads represent the crown of the Austrian Empire (Hauskrone of Rudolf II from 1602) and the Crown of Saint Stephen (the Crown of the Kingdom of Hungary from the 10th century).

The 1915 date on the restrike reverse is a fixed reference date — distinguishes the restrike from 1892-1918 originals, which bear various annual mintage dates (1892, 1893, ..., 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918). Original 20 crowns 1916-1918 are particularly rare due to limited production during the First World War period and the final months of the monarchy — typically higher collector value. The Münze Österreich restrike 1920-present uses exclusively the 1915 date — regardless of the actual year of production — which standardises the secondary market and facilitates identification and valuation. For the investor this means predictability: each 20 crowns restrike has identical technical parameters and appearance.

What to look out for when buying

Check the status of the coin — original or restrike (Nachprägung). The Münze Österreich restrike 20 crowns bears the 1915 date as a fixed inscription — regardless of the actual year of production (1920+). Original circulation issues (1892-1918) bear various annual dates and have higher collector value than restrikes — particularly the rare 1916-1918 vintages (First World War period) and early 1892-1894 issues. Premium on original circulation issues may reach 5-10% and more, while the restrike maintains a stable premium of 3-6% over spot.

The market premium on Münze Österreich restrike 20 crowns typically holds in the range of 3-6% over spot — this is one of the lowest premiums among historic European gold coins. For comparison: napoleons (20F) have a premium of 4-8%, Vreneli (Swiss 20F) 4-7%, Edward VII sovereigns 5-8%, restrike ducat 3-5%. 20 crowns are thus the cheapest alternative in the segment of historic coins in the "1/5 oz" class — and at the same time offer the largest pure-gold weight in this class (6.0975 g vs 5.80645 g LMU francs). This makes them an optimal choice for investors valuing cost efficiency.

Check authenticity and weight — the Münze Österreich restrike 20 crowns weighs 6.7751 g gross with state-mint tolerance. The 900/1000 fineness is the crown standard (LMU-compatible) — gold-copper alloy gives the coin a characteristically slightly reddish tint (different from the pure, bright yellow of Maple Leaf 999.9). Each coin is delivered in an individual protective capsule to preserve the surface and facilitate identification of authenticity. NOTE: Austrian 20 crowns exist in two historic variants — Austrian (Latin 20 CORONA inscription) and Hungarian (Hungarian 20 KORONA, different shield depiction) — they differ in reverse details, but both variants are authentic Austro-Hungarian issues.

Check the manufacturer — all authentic restrike Austrian 20 crowns with the 20 CORONA inscription come exclusively from Münze Österreich (Vienna). The Hungarian variant 20 KORONA comes from the mint in Körmöcbánya (today Kremnica, Slovakia) or Vienna. The Vienna mint is a subsidiary of the Austrian National Bank and the only entity legally entitled to strike Austrian 20 crowns with the 1915 date. Strikes from other mints (e.g. contemporary East European copies) are counterfeits or illegal restrikes, regardless of declared fineness. Purchase documents from a certified dealer are important for later resale.

Why GoldInvest24

• Full offer of Austrian historic Münze Österreich coins: our catalogue features all key Austrian issues — 1 and 4 ducats (Quadruple Ducat), 20 crowns, both in original (1872-1915/1918 originals) and restrike (1915-dated restrike) variants. A full cross-section allows building a balanced Habsburg gold portfolio adjusted to the investment and collector strategy.
• Manufacturer LBMA Good Delivery-accredited since 1962: Münze Österreich holds LBMA Good Delivery accreditation — the highest international refining standard — which guarantees compliance with international requirements on fineness, weight and purity for all products (Philharmonics, ducats, crowns).
• PL / DE / EN language versions: full technical descriptions and specifications in three languages for convenient service of the Polish, German and international markets — particularly valuable for Austrian historic coins with numismatic terminology in German (Krone, Nachprägung, Doppeladler) and Latin (inscriptions 20 CORONA, FRANC IOS I).
• Current precious-metals quotes: spot data for comparing offer prices with current market valuation — check the current precious-metals prices before purchase to assess the effective premium on 20 crowns relative to the current gold price.
• Full precious-metal categories in one shop: access to gold investment coins, bars, silver, platinum and palladium — all from a single customer account, with full PL/DE/EN support and unified ordering policy across all product categories.

Comparison of 5 Austrian Habsburg coins

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FAQ — common questions about the 20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I

What is the 20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I?

The 20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I is a new strike (restrike, German Nachprägung) struck by Münze Österreich since 1920 with the original 1915 date as the reference date. The Austro-Hungarian crown was introduced by the 1892 currency reform (1 gulden = 2 crowns) and abolished in 1918; in 1925 the Austrian schilling was introduced. Gross mass 6.7751 g, pure gold 6.0975 g, 0.900 fineness (crown standard, LMU-compatible), 21.0 mm diameter. Obverse: portrait of Franz Joseph I (Anton Scharff). Reverse: double-headed eagle with inscription 20 CORONA. Status: legal tender of the Republic of Austria (restrike status).

What is the technical specification of 20 Crowns Austria?

Gross mass 6.7751 g (gold + copper), pure-gold mass 6.0975 g, 0.900 fineness (21.6 carats, crown standard LMU), 21.0 mm diameter, approx. 1.3 mm thickness. Manufacturer: Münze Österreich (Vienna), LBMA Good Delivery accreditation since 1962. Obverse: portrait of Franz Joseph I (Anton Scharff, 1892), inscription FRANC IOS I D G IMP AVSTR REX BOH GAL ET REX AP HVNG. Reverse: Habsburg double-headed eagle, inscription 20 CORONA, date 1915.

What is the history of 20 Crowns Austria and the 1892 currency reform?

The Austro-Hungarian crown was introduced by the currency reform of 21.05.1892 (1 gulden = 2 crowns). Gold coins of 10, 20 and 100 crowns were introduced as part of the reform. Standard 900/1000, LMU equivalence (1 crown ≈ 1 franc). 20 crowns design by Anton Scharff (1892). After the First World War (1918) the crown was abolished; Austria introduced the schilling in 1925. Münze Österreich has continued the restrike with 1915 date since 1920 — over 100 years of continuous production. LBMA since 1962.

Why do 20 Crowns Austria have a low market premium?

Restrike 20 Crowns Austria have one of the lowest market premiums among historic coins — typically 3-6% over spot. This results from the combination of mass availability (over 100 years of Münze Österreich restrike, significant production scale), standard 900/1000 fineness and the absence of vintage collector value (1915 date as fixed inscription). For comparison: premium on napoleons (20F) is 4-8%, Vreneli (Swiss 20F) 4-7% — 20 crowns are the cheapest alternative in the "1/5 oz" class, while offering the largest gold weight in this class (6.0975 g).

For whom are the 20 Crowns Austria a practical choice?

For investors valuing the lowest premium in the segment of historic coins in the "1/5 oz" class — 20 crowns typically have 3-6% premium over spot, lower than napoleons (4-8%) and Vreneli (4-7%). For those building a diversified portfolio of European historic LMU-compatible coins (Austria + France + Switzerland + Italy + Belgium). For buyers of classic Habsburg designs (Franz Joseph I, double-headed eagle) as a complement to a portfolio of Austrian coins with ducats. All restrike pieces in BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) condition.

What is the LBMA, VAT, CGT and IRA status of 20 Crowns Austria?

LBMA Good Delivery — YES, Münze Österreich LBMA-accredited since 1962 (the highest international refining standard). VAT in the EU — EXEMPT (legal-tender coin, 0.900 fineness, struck after 1800 — meets EU Directive 2006/112/EC Art. 344 and Polish VAT Act Art. 122). CGT-free in the UK — NO (CGT-free status applies only to British legal tender). IRA-eligible in the USA — NO (the IRS admits only American coins and selected modern bullion).

How do I buy 20 Crowns Austria Franz Joseph I at GoldInvest24?

Place an order in our shop with access to the full gold investment coins category, the complete offer of Austrian Habsburg coins (1 and 4 ducats original and restrike, 20 crowns) and products of other LBMA mints. Check the current gold quotes to compare the premium against the current spot price. Descriptions in PL / DE / EN.