20 shillings 1944

Common. eBay market data shows consistent trading in the $3–$37 range across multiple condition grades from 2013–2024, with the majority of sales falling between $5–$17. Even high-grade examples (PMG 66, AUNC) typically fetch $13–$37, indicating robust supply and regular collector demand. The note was issued in significant quantities by the occupying military authority and remains widely available in the secondary market. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or scarcity in the Pick catalog or PMG population data.

Issued by the Alliierte Militärbehörde (Allied Military Authority) in 1944, this note represents the transitional monetary period when Austria was under Allied occupation following the conclusion of World War II in Europe. The deliberate, formal design with Germanic inscriptions ('ALLIIERTE MILITARBEHORDE', 'IN OESTERREICH AUSGEGEBEN') reflects the official military administration's establishment of occupation currency, serving as a bridge between Nazi-era Reichsmark circulation and the restoration of the Austrian Schilling as the national currency.

This 20 Schilling note features a refined, non-figurative design consistent with Allied occupation currency protocols that avoided nationalist or controversial imagery. The obverse displays a light purple/mauve background with ornate dark blue/purple borders incorporating floral and shell motifs, with the denomination presented in large ornamental circular medallions on the left and right sides. The reverse presents a dominant central circular medallion containing an elaborately engraved '20' surrounded by concentric decorative patterns, with matching '20' denomination markers positioned in all four corners. The entire design is executed in fine-line engraving with geometric border patterns, wave-like flourishes, and detailed cross-hatching throughout, emphasizing the note's security and official status. The color palette—light purple underprint with dark blue/purple engraving—provides strong visual contrast and follows the design aesthetic documented in the RealBanknotes reference.

FRONT: 'ALLIIERTE MILITARBEHORDE' (Allied Military Authority) | 'ZWANZIG SCHILLING' (Twenty Schilling) | 'SERIE 1944' (Series 1944) | 'IN OESTERREICH AUSGEGEBEN' (Issued in Austria) | 'SCHILLING' (Schilling) | Serial number: 273309 (appears twice in red). BACK: '20' (Twenty, large central denomination) | 'SCHILLING' (Schilling, center and corners) | 'ZWANZIG SCHILLING' (Twenty Schilling, bottom center) | '20' (Twenty, all four corners with 'SCHILLING').

Intaglio engraving (line engraving and recess printing), as evidenced by the fine line work, detailed cross-hatching, intricate concentric circular patterns, and the crisp, well-defined edges characteristic of engraved banknote production. The precision of the ornamental borders, geometric patterns, and security details suggests production by a specialized security printer; for Austrian Allied Military Authority notes, this was likely the Austrian State Printing Works (Österreichische Staatspapierfabrik) or contracted to a major European security printer under Allied supervision.

Pick number P-107 catalogues a single variant for the 20 Schilling 1944 denomination. The observed specimen bears serial number 273309 printed in red on both obverse sides. No significant variety markers (such as signature variations, date variants, or overprints) are evident in this example. The series designation 'SERIE 1944' is consistent across all documented examples of this issue.