Austria 10 Groschen (Aluminum Republic Issue)
Country of Origin: Austria (Republic of Austria)
Year of Issue: 1979
Denomination: 10 Groschen
Composition: 98.5% Aluminum, 1.5% Magnesium
Brief Description
A small, lightweight gray metallic coin featuring the Austrian national eagle on one side and a stylized numeral 10 on the other.
Historical Significance
Following WWII, Austria resumed the Groschen and Schilling system. The 10 Groschen became one of the most common circulating coins in post-war Europe until the adoption of the Euro in 2002.
Estimated Value
$0.05-$0.15 in circulated condition, $1.00-$3.00 in Mint State ($5.00+ if MS-67+)
Care Instructions
Handle by the edges to avoid fingerprints. Zinc/Aluminum alloys can corrode or oxidize easily if exposed to high humidity or skin oils. Store in a dry environment in a PVC-free flip.
Mint Mark
Münze Österreich (Vienna Mint), no mint mark used
Mintage & Rarity
70,105,000 (Very common/Common date)
Weight & Diameter
1.10g, 20.0mm
Edge
Plain / Smooth
Apparent Grade
Fine to Very Fine. The coin shows significant surface oxidation and minor pitting, common for circulated aluminum, though the details of the eagle and lettering remain legible.
Obverse (Front)
Austrian state eagle (Bundesadler) in the center, flanked by the numeral '10' on both sides. Below, the text 'REPUBLIK ÖSTERREICH' is inscribed in a semi-circle.
Reverse (Back)
Large, stylized numeral '10' in the center with the year '1979' just below it. The word 'GROSCHEN' wraps around the bottom in a bold font.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Condition is the primary factor. Because billions were minted across several decades, only specimens in perfect uncirculated condition or rare error types carry a significant premium.
Similar Coins
Often confused with earlier 1940s zinc issues of the same denomination, which are thicker and darker, or the 2 Groschen and 5 Groschen aluminum coins which have similar designs but different sizes.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Counterfeits are extremely rare due to the coin's low value. Check for the characteristic lightness of aluminum; a heavy coin is likely a fake or a different metal.
Notable Varieties & Errors
Minor die cracks are common. Some years have 'large' and 'small' date varieties, though 1979 is widely uniform.
Created At: 2026-05-10T22:08:58.082483