From the Schilling to the Euro

On the occaison of the end of the Schilling and the introduction of Euro banknotes, the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) present an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Schilling from 1924/25 until 2002. The exhibition will document how the fate of a currency is always closely connected to sociological, economic, and cultural developments. This comprehensive survey of the Austrian currency, from the very first Schilling banknotes and coins of 1925 to the designs for the final, never realized Schilling series, covers not only the development of Austria´s monetary history in the last nine decades, but also the cultural and artistic aspects of her currency by including objects used for minting coins and printing banknotes that have never before been on show to the public.

This is the first time that the Austrian National Bank exhibits a selection of the unique holdings of their Art Archive of designs and drawings by Austrian artists that were used as models for banknotes. Sketches and designs from the collection of the Austrian Mint (Muenze Oesterreich AG) and coin models from the holdings of the Coin Collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum will document the artistic configuration of Schilling coins. Objects connected with different phases of printing banknotes and minting coins offer insights into technical developments of how the Schilling was made. And, as the presentation of the Euro shows, the traditions of Austrian banknote design and the high quality and standard of technical security will continue in future because our new money is also "made in Austria".

An extensive publication with numerous illustrations of original designs and a catalogue annex listing Schilling banknotes and coins will be published in conjunction with the exhibition.

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