The territories later 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 Otaker, King of Bohemia, gained possession in 1252, only to lose to territory to Rudolf of Hasbsburg in 1276. Thereafter, until World war I, the story of Austria was conducted by the ruling Habsburgs.
        Francis I died on August 18, 1765. His wife Maria Theresa, decreed on July 21, 1766 that coins would be issued with the portrait of Francis and bearing the year of his death (1765). Also to be included were letters of the alphabet to indicate the actual year of issue: i.e. A-1766, G-1772, P-1780.
        The posthumous coins were issued rather erratically as to denominations, years and mints. 5 denominations were made and 7 mints were used. Only the Ducat and 20 Kreuzer were made until 1780, the year in which Maria Theresa died. The other denominations were 3, 10 and 17 Kreuzer.
        During World war I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was one of the Central Powers with Germany, Bulgaria and Turkey. At the end of the war, the Empire was dismembered and Austria established as independent republic. In March, 1938, Austria was incorporated into Hitler's short-lived Greater German Reich. Allied forces occupied Austria in April, 1945, and subsequently divided it into 4 zones of military occupation. On May 15, 1955, the 4 powers formally recognized Austria.