| Austria's Saint Stephans Groschen and Other Cathedral Tokens/Medals |
The St. Stephans Groschen are dated "1950" to the lower right of the cathedral. The compositions are Aluminum, Silver or
Gold, diameter is 27mm and the original design is by Oskar Thiede (1879-1961).
Gold, diameter is 27mm and the original design is by Oskar Thiede (1879-1961).
Aluminum, 23 mm in diameter
Silver, 23 mm in diameter
| There are at least 24 varieties of the St. Stephans Groschen. Each of the Austrian nine provinces were represented by a token with a simplified rendition of their state "coat-of arms" (state shield) to the right of the numeral "1" on the obverse. |
No state shield in the design.
No state shield in the design.
There is also a 10th version (or a first version, however you choose to label it) that doesn't have a state shield in the design.
There were also 10 varieties made in Silver, 9 with state shields and one without.
The 21st version is a Gold token with no-shield. I believe the Gold and Silver varieties were minted contemporaneously with
the Aluminum varieties. The 22nd variety was made in 1951 for the "Salzburger Festspiel" and is also Aluminum. The numeral
side has been customized for the festival. I have an image of the "Salzburger Festspiel" variety at the bottom of this page.
In 1971, the 23rd version was minted without a shield and the composition was Silver. I know of a 24th variety (image near the
bottom of the page) with slightly different design, minted in 1977, Silver, Proof finish, depicting a Vienna shield which brings up
the possibility that the eight other Austrian States may have a 1977 token as well. Many of the tokens are readily attainable
for very modest prices.
There were also 10 varieties made in Silver, 9 with state shields and one without.
The 21st version is a Gold token with no-shield. I believe the Gold and Silver varieties were minted contemporaneously with
the Aluminum varieties. The 22nd variety was made in 1951 for the "Salzburger Festspiel" and is also Aluminum. The numeral
side has been customized for the festival. I have an image of the "Salzburger Festspiel" variety at the bottom of this page.
In 1971, the 23rd version was minted without a shield and the composition was Silver. I know of a 24th variety (image near the
bottom of the page) with slightly different design, minted in 1977, Silver, Proof finish, depicting a Vienna shield which brings up
the possibility that the eight other Austrian States may have a 1977 token as well. Many of the tokens are readily attainable
for very modest prices.
Burgenland Karten Niederosterreich Oberosterreich
The Cathedral was heavily damaged by Allied bombing and fire toward the end of WWII. Restoration work began in 1945 as
soon as practical after the War's end and that main phase of reconstruction lasted until 1952. The Cathedral has undergone
restorative work almost continuously ever since. Toward the end of that main phase of rebuilding, in 1950, the Stephans
Groschens were minted by the Austrian Mint for use by the Cathedral to raise money to complete the work. The Cathedral
officials didn't begin distribution (sale) of the tokens until sometime after June 1951. The tokens were given (sold) to persons
contributing money for the restoration of the cathedral, making it a true token of appreciation.
The original Aluminum tokens were "sold" by cathedral officials for a one Schilling donation. Silver tokens were
minted and they originally sold for a 20 Schilling donation. Mayor Theodor Körner's approval (Mayor of Vienna
1945-1951, President of Austrian 1951-1965), was necessary to sell the tokens in Vienna.
soon as practical after the War's end and that main phase of reconstruction lasted until 1952. The Cathedral has undergone
restorative work almost continuously ever since. Toward the end of that main phase of rebuilding, in 1950, the Stephans
Groschens were minted by the Austrian Mint for use by the Cathedral to raise money to complete the work. The Cathedral
officials didn't begin distribution (sale) of the tokens until sometime after June 1951. The tokens were given (sold) to persons
contributing money for the restoration of the cathedral, making it a true token of appreciation.
The original Aluminum tokens were "sold" by cathedral officials for a one Schilling donation. Silver tokens were
minted and they originally sold for a 20 Schilling donation. Mayor Theodor Körner's approval (Mayor of Vienna
1945-1951, President of Austrian 1951-1965), was necessary to sell the tokens in Vienna.
Salzburg Steiermark Tirol Voralburg Wien (Vienna)
The Cathedral underwent another restoration that was completed in 2002. For one restoration project (not sure which one)
the Lego Company supplied the officials with enough legos (snap together toy building components) to build a replica of the
church. For a pre-determined donation amount you could add one lego (or more depending upon donation amount) to the
model of the church.
the Lego Company supplied the officials with enough legos (snap together toy building components) to build a replica of the
church. For a pre-determined donation amount you could add one lego (or more depending upon donation amount) to the
model of the church.
1951 Salzburger Festspiele Example
The Salzburger Festspiele (Salzburg Festival) originated shortly after WWI with
Richard Strauss, Max Reinhardt and Hugo von Hofmannsthal as the originators. It
showcases world class performances by conductors, stage-directors, orchestras,
singers, actors and instrumentalist. It has been described as the worlds greatest
and most important festival. It occurs in Salzburg in July and August.
The token has the St. Stephans Cathedral on one side like the previous tokens but
the other side is completely customized for use at the 1951 "Salzburger Festspiel".
Richard Strauss, Max Reinhardt and Hugo von Hofmannsthal as the originators. It
showcases world class performances by conductors, stage-directors, orchestras,
singers, actors and instrumentalist. It has been described as the worlds greatest
and most important festival. It occurs in Salzburg in July and August.
The token has the St. Stephans Cathedral on one side like the previous tokens but
the other side is completely customized for use at the 1951 "Salzburger Festspiel".
1977 Silver Proof, Vienna Example
I don't know if their are eight other examples like this with the other state shields
represented or if there is an example without the state shield.
The design differs from the original in that the date is changed from 1950 to 1977
and moved from the lower right to above the cathedral. The clouds on the front and
the designer's marks on the front and reverse have been removed as well.
represented or if there is an example without the state shield.
The design differs from the original in that the date is changed from 1950 to 1977
and moved from the lower right to above the cathedral. The clouds on the front and
the designer's marks on the front and reverse have been removed as well.
| A few other tokens/medals that show the Satint Stephans Cathedral. |
| Austrian Coins, Medals & Tokens |
