Austria Franz Joseph I 5/10 Kreuzer 1866A aUN (Patine)

Lovely high grade copper coin struck within a large set from 1858 to 1866 and diverted through 5 Mints. This coin came from Wien Mint. The territories later to be known as Austria were overrun in Pre-Roman times by various tribes, including the Celts. Upon the fall of the Roman Empire, the country became a Margravate of Charlemagne's Empire. Premysl II of Otakar, King of Bohemia, gained possession in 1252, only to lose the territory to Rudolf of Habsburg in 1276. There after, until World War I, the story of Austria was conducted by the Habsburgs. During the 17th. century, Austria coinage reflected the Geo-political strife of three wars. From 1618-1648. the Thirty Years between northern Protestants and southern Catholics produced low quality, "kipperwhipper" strikes of 12,24,30,60,75 of 150 Kreuzer. Later, during the Austrian-Turkish War, 1660-1664, coinages used to maintain soldier's salaries also reported division of Hungarian territories. Finally, between 1683 and 1699, during the second Austria-Turkish conflict, new issues 0f 3, 6 and 15 Kreuzers were struck, being necessary to help defray mounting expenses of the war effort. During World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was one of the Central Powers in Germany, Bulgaria and Turkey. At the end of the war, the Empire was dismembered and Austria established as an independent Republic. In March 1938, Austria was incorporated into Hitler's short-lived Greater German Reich. Allied forces of both East and West occupied Austria in April 1945, and subsequently divided it into 4 Zones of military occupation. On 15th of May 1955, the 4 powers formally recognized Austria as a sovereign independent democratic state. Moreover, during the German Occupation (1938-1945), the German Reichsmark coins were circulated. King Franz Joseph I ruled from 1848 to 1916.