The Russian Revolution in 1917 led to the rise of the Soviet Union. The First Austrian Republic was created in 1919. Was Austria a communist state ? A daring statement. Let us have a look at Austria's coat of arms illustrated on the following bond.
Now check the emblem of the Soviet Union. It is depicted on the following government loan. Do you see the similarities ?
USSR internal loan of the second five-year plan, 25 Rouble, 1935 This rare bond was auctioned by HWPH on 15 Oct 2016 together with a similar looking certificate, for €4,000 courtesy HWPH |
That's right, the Austrian eagle holds in its claws a hammer and a sickle, the main attributes of the soviet shield. Austria introduced its new shield in 1919 when it became a republic. Before that, Austria's coat of arms looked different as you can see here.
200 Krone bond from the 8th Austrian War Loan, 1918 design by Alfred Offner in Vienna Secession style |
Till the end of World War I, Austria was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy. That's why we see a double-headed eagle on the previous bond.
After WWI Austria decided to change the looks of its eagle. Its sword and scepter was replaced with a sickle, its orb with a hammer. Up to the present, the Republic of Austria has been using that shield on government bonds but also on banknotes and coins.
above : 20 Shilling banknote, 1986, shield in upper left corner below : 10 Shilling coin, 1974, by Awmcphee (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons |
The key question remains why Austria started using a hammer and a sickle in its shield ? Was it about communism ? I found the answer in a newsletter from CoinsWeekly/MünzenWoche which referred to THIS INTRIGUING VIDEO (5 min.) from the MoneyMuseum. Enjoy watching!