A multistage angle encoder includes a fine code disc which is connected via a reducing gear with at least one coarse code disc. In order unambiguously to allocate the coarse code information on the coarse code disc to the fine code information on the fine code disc, control information data is applied to the fine code disc to directly superimpose on the coarse code information of the coarse code disc. The control code information is provided in each case on two concentric control half-tracks of the fine code disc, and the coarse code information is provided in each case on two concentric coarse code half-tracks of the coarse code disc. The superposed coarse code half-tracks and control half-tracks are scanned in common by means of a single scanning field of the scanning plate.