A microbicidally coated article, especially a container, having on at least part of it a coating comprising an organically modified inorganic matrix comprising silver colloids which is obtainable by application of a coating composition comprising a) a hydrolysate or condensate based on at least one hydrolysable silane with at least one non-hydrolysable substituent and b) a silver compound to the surface of the article and treatment with heat and/or radiation to form the silver colloid coating. Articles coated in accordance with the invention are therefore particularly suitable for purposes of disinfection, preservation, cosmetic, pharmaceutical or medical purposes. Articles from the pharmaceutical or medical sector, especially containers for pharmaceuticals or articles or components which come into contact with the human body and are required to be free from germs, are preferred fields of application.