The obverse of the Austrian 20 Corona features a profile of Franz Joseph I facing to the right. Franz Joseph I was the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian empire from 1848-1916. After the death of Franz’ son, Archduke Franz Ferdinand became the heir-presumptive of the Austro-Hungarian empire until he was assassinated, leading to the start of the first world war.

The reverse of the 20 Corona holds the Austrian Coat of Arms and the restrike date, 1915, in commemoration of Franz Joseph I’s 68 years reign. The Austrian Coat of Arms depicts a double-headed eagle with crown and symbols of empire based upon the crest of the Hapsburgs, the dynasty which formed the Austrian Empire in 1804.

An Austrian 20 Corona like its counterparts the 100 and the 10 Corona are re-strikes after the year 1915. The 20 Corona was first introduced in 1892 with Austria’s currency reform and was produced until World War I when its minting was ceased due economic restraints. It was issued in later years randomly throughout the 20th Century with its re-strike date of 1915.