2018-03-16 Fri

Hungary is going to release its first and only gold coin of 2018 which is inspired by a coin that was issued almost 700 years ago called goldguldens (or florins) of King Albert. Albert of Habsburg succeeded King Bela IV. He became the King of Hungary on 18th December 1437 after the death of the Holy Roman emperor Sigismund who was his father-in-law. Albert became the king of Bohemia in March 1438 and was called “King of the Romans”. He never became the Holy Roman emperor and died in 1439 during a war with the Turks. The latest 50,000-forint legal tender gold coin is based on a 1439 coin that was minted for Albert which is a part of Hungarian National Museum.

The obverse features a four-part coat of arms with stripes symbolising Hungary, a band from the Austrian shield, a Bohemian lion, and a Moravian eagle, five of the mintmaster’s marks used during Albert’s two-year reign. The reverse depicts St. Ladislas with a battle-axe and orb, “h” for Hermannstadt mint, and a lamb, the coat of arms of Janos Lemmel, the lord of the chambers in charge of minting.

The 20 millimeter, 3.491 grams .986 fine gold-ducat sized uncirculated version can be purchased for $389 USD and have a mintage limit of 2,000 pieces. 500 quadruple-weight (13.964 grams) piéfort coins versions are four times thicker and heavier than the regular coin with an edge inscription ALBERTUS DEI GRATIA REX VNGARIE (Albert, King of Hungary by the grace of God). It is priced at $1,550. A copper-nickel-zinc, 2.7 grams brilliant uncirculated 2,000-forint version has a mintage limit of 5,000 pieces and can be purchased for $19.95.

Image Courtesy: Hungarian Mint