2016-05-31 Tue

The 275th anniversary of the coronation of one of the world’s most noted female leaders, Maria Theresa, was celebrated by the Kremnica Mint in Slovakia with the issue of a Proof 2016 .900 fine gold €100 coin.

She was declared as the queen in 1740 but the coronation was held when she was just 23 years old on 25th June, 1741, in Bratislava (then Pressburg). She was welcomed in a grand fashion at Michael’s Gate by representatives of the town council headed by the mayor. The Archbishop of Esztergom, Imre Esterházy conducted the traditional ceremony at St. Martin’s Cathedral. The Palatine John Pálffy presented her with the sword, scepter and gold orb. The queen rode on a horseback to the top of the coronation hill on the bank of the Danube, where she took an official oath. Charles VI, her father raised her to be a ruler which many others were against.

During the initial years of her reign, she had to combat many wars like the Austrian Succession (1741 to 1745) and the Seven Years’ War (1756 to 1763). She was known for her statesmanship, political skills and reforms during the 40 years of her reign (1740 to 1780).

The obverse depicts Maria Theresa’s coronation parade in Bratislava. Other inscriptions include the coat of arms of the Slovak Republic, ‘SLOVENSKO’, the denomination, year of issue, the Kremnica Mint’s MK mark and the initials of the coin designer, Vladimír Pavlica, VP. The reverse features a portrait of Maria Theresa in an oval medallion. Other inscriptions include “Coronation of Maria Theresa,” in Slovakian language, ‘BRATISLAVA’, and the coronation year, ‘1741’.

The mintage of this lovely coin is restricted to 5,000 only.