The Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books of the Austrian National Library in Vienna was formed in April 2008 by merging the departments of "Manuscripts, Autographs, and Closed Collections" and of "Incunabula, Old and Valuable Books".
Within the library, the manuscripts are given a signature of Cod. plus an abbreviation of the applicable grouping (mostly by language; in the case of the Japanese and Chinese collection, the more generic Cim., for cimelia "heirlooms, treasures" is used). When the context does not make clear that the manuscript is from Vienna, the abbreviation Cod. Vindob. is used, short for Codex Vindobonensis (after Vindobona, the ancient Roman name of Vienna).
The manuscripts are grouped as follows:
The following is a list of especially notable manuscripts kept in Vienna.
Codex Vindobonensis phil. Gr. 65 of the 15th cent. This is an Anonymous Arithmetic and Geometry (Logisticae and Geodaisia)
Minuscule 76, δ 298, known as Codex Caesar-Vindobonensis, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment leaves. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 14th century. Formerly it was assigned by 49p. It has complex contents, and full marginalia. It was adapted for liturgical use
Minuscule 154, Θε402 (Soden), is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on cotton paper. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 13th-century. It has complex contents, and full marginalia.
Minuscule 155, ε 403 (Soden), is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 13th century. It has marginalia.
Minuscule 158, ε 108 (Soden), is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 11th century. It has marginalia.
Minuscule 386, δ 401 (Soden), is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Paleographically it has been assigned to the 14th century. It has complex context and some marginalia.
Minuscule 404, α 467, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Paleographically it has been assigned to the 13th century. The manuscript has complex contents. Formerly it was designated by the symbols 63a and 68p.
Minuscule 421, α 259, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. It is dated to year ca. 1300. Formerly it was designated by 64a and 69p. Marginal equipment is not complete.
Minuscule 425, α 457, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. It is dated by a colophon to the year 1330. Formerly it was designated by 67a.
Minuscule 424, Ο12, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 11th century. Formerly it was designated by 66a and 67p.
Minuscule 452, α 206, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century. Formerly it was labelled by 80a, 91p and 42r.
Minuscule 628, α 400, is a Greek–Latin diglot minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on paper. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 14th century. The manuscript is lacunose. Formerly it was labeled by 161a, 198p, and 69r.
Minuscule 630, α 461, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on paper. It is known as Codex Ottobonianus. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th or 13th century. The manuscript is lacunose. Formerly it was labeled by 163a and 201p.
Minuscule 631, α 1604, is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on paper. It is known as Codex Ottobonianus. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 15th century. Formerly it was labeled by 165a.
Minuscule 852, ε406, is a 14th-century Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on parchment. The manuscript has not survived in complete condition.
Minuscule 878, Θε200, is a 12th-century Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on parchment. It has complex contents.
Minuscule 879, Nλ68, is a 16th-century Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on parchment. It has not complex contents.
Minuscule 880, ε526, is a 15th-century Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on paper. It has survived in complete condition.
Minuscule 881, Θε51, is a 15th-century Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on paper. It has complex contents.
Minuscule 887, is an 11th-century Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on parchment, with a commentary.