Austrian 50 Schilling Restrike

This 1980 restrike of the Austrian 50 Schilling was struck using dies from earlier commemorative issues, giving it an unintended air of antiquity.

Weighing 20 grams and composed of .900 fine silver, the coin features a bust of the Austrian eagle on one side and a commemorative motif on the other—likely tied to a national anniversary, though exact records are murky. Production numbers aren't well-documented; what survives suggests a limited run for collectors, but fires in the Vienna mint archives have left gaps in the story.

The obverse design echoes patterns from the 18th century, a nod to Austria's imperial past that sometimes fools the unwary.

As for values, they fluctuate with silver prices, but that's obvious to anyone who's handled bullion for decades.