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Kingdom of Hungary
Franz Joseph I
20 Francs / 8 Forint
匈牙利王國
法蘭茲·約瑟夫一世
20法郎 / 8福林
Item number: A1452
Year: AD 1881
Material: Gold
Size: 19.6 x 19.6 mm
Manufactured by: Kremnica Mint
Provenance: Fuchin Coin 2024
This gold coin, minted in 1881 by the Kingdom of Hungary under the name of Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austro-Hungarian Empire, holds a denominations of 20 Francs and 8 Forints.
The obverse features the portrait of Franz Joseph I, adorned with a laurel wreath and facing right. Encircling the portrait is an inscription in Hungarian abbreviation, “FERENCZ JÓZSEF I · K · A · CS · ÉS · M · H · S · D · O · AP · KIR ·,” which translates to “Franz Joseph, by the grace of God, Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary, Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia.” The title “Apostolic King” has been associated with Hungarian monarchs since King Stephen I of Hungary (István I) in AD 1000. Below the portrait, the initials “K.B.” indicate the coin was minted at the Körmöczbánya Mint (modern-day Kremnica). The design of the portrait was created by sculptor Josef Hermann Tautenhayn, based on a commemorative medal he designed in AD 1867 for Franz Joseph’s coronation as King of Hungary.
The reverse displays the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hungary, composed of a double-layered shield. The upper left section, a chequerboard pattern, represents the Kingdom of Croatia. The lower left depicts a marten running beneath a six-pointed star, symbolising the Kingdom of Slavonia. The lower right features seven towers topped by a Polish eagle with outstretched wings, denoting the Principality of Transylvania. The upper right contains a crowned lion’s head, representing the Kingdom of Dalmatia. The central shield is vertically divided: the left side with striped patterns symbolises the Árpád Dynasty, Hungary’s first royal house, while the right side features the Hungarian double cross, representing Hungarian sovereignty. Above the shield is the Holy Crown of Hungary. On either side of the shield are inscriptions: “20 Fr” and “8 Frt,” denoting the denominations of 20 Francs and 8 Forints. The Hungarian phrase “MAGYAR KIRÁLYSÁG” (Kingdom of Hungary) appears at the top, and the minting year, “1881,” is inscribed at the bottom.
In AD 1865, the Latin Monetary Union was established to promote monetary unification and facilitate trade among its member states. Under this system, currencies were standardised on the French Franc, and a bimetallic standard of gold and silver was adopted, allowing the free circulation of member nations’ coins. Although Austro-Hungarian Empire did not formally join the Latin Monetary Union, it signed a separate agreement with France in AD 1867. Following this agreement, Austro-Hungarian Empire issued a limited number of 4 Florin and 8 Florin gold coins, corresponding to the 10 Franc and 20 Franc denominations in France. Within its jurisdiction, the Kingdom of Hungary issued equivalent coins denominated in Forints. However, fluctuations in global precious metal prices and the inconsistent practises of member states gradually eroded the influence of the Latin Monetary Union, which officially dissolved in AD 1927.
Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, ascended the throne in AD 1848 and ruled until his death in AD 1916, making his 68-year reign one of the longest in European history. His accession coincided with a period of significant upheaval, marked by the revolutionary wave in AD 1848 that swept across Europe, demanding liberty and national independence. During his reign, Austro-Hungarian Empire occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina following the AD 1878 Congress of Berlin, beginning its administration of the region while the Ottoman Empire retained nominal sovereignty. In AD 1908, Austro-Hungarian Empire formally annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina, provoking the ire of Serbia and Russia and heightening tensions in the Balkans. In AD 1914, Franz Joseph’s nephew and heir, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo, an event known as the Sarajevo Incident. Subsequently, Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, setting off a chain of events that culminated in the outbreak of World War I.
金幣的正面為頭戴桂冠的法蘭茲·約瑟夫一世肖像,面朝右。周圍環繞著匈牙利文簡寫「FERENCZ JÓZSEF I ·K · A · CS · ÉS · M · H · S · D · O · AP · KIR ·」,意即「法蘭茲·約瑟夫,蒙上帝恩典,奧地利的皇帝,匈牙利、克羅埃西亞、斯拉沃尼亞、達爾馬提亞的使徒國王」。「使徒國王」自公元1000年,匈牙利的第一位國王伊什特萬一世起,便是匈牙利國王的稱號。肖像下方「K.B.」為克雷姆尼察鑄幣廠(Körmöczbánya)的註記,肖像的設計則是出於雕刻家約瑟夫·赫爾曼·陶滕海因(Josef Hermann Tautenhayn),為公元1867年法蘭茲·約瑟夫加冕為匈牙利國王而設計的紀念獎章。
金幣的背面中央則是匈牙利王國國徽,為雙層大小盾牌嵌套而成,左上角為棋盤狀,代表克羅埃西亞王國。左下是一隻奔跑的貂,其上懸著一顆六芒星,代表著斯拉沃尼亞王國。右下為七座塔樓,其上有一隻展翅的波蘭鷹,代表著外西凡尼亞公國。右上的戴冠獅首,則代表達爾馬提亞王國。中央的小盾徽垂直分割為兩部分,左邊是條紋紋章,代表匈牙利的第一個王室阿爾帕德王朝,右邊則是代表匈牙利統治者的匈牙利雙十字。盾徽上方為匈牙利聖冠。盾徽的左右兩側分別為「20Fr」與「8Frt」,分別代表著幣值「20法郎」與「8福林」。上方刻有匈牙利文銘文「MAGYAR KIRÁLYSÁG 」,意為匈牙利王國。下方則是發行年「1881」。
Štefan Kazimír, et al. Kremnická mincovňa 1328 – 1978. Osveta, 1978.
Christoph Schmetterer. Kaiser Franz Joseph I. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Gmbh & Co. 2016.
Nicolas Barbaroux. The Latin Monetary Union Experience (1865‒1926): French Views on Monetary Union and Lending of Last Resort in Retrospect. Jahrbuch für Wirtschaftsgeschichte / Economic History Yearbook. 2022.