Two New Hungarian Gold Coins Modeled On Their Medieval Predecessors

The Hungarian Mint has issued a new 50,000 forint in its Hungarian ‘Gold Florins from the Middle Ages’ program that began in 2012. The new coin, the eighth in the series, called the ‘Gold Florin of Ladislaus V,’ is offered in a single and in a piedfort version which is four times the weight of a normal coin. In line with the tradition of recent issues, a non-ferrous metal version of the 50,000-forint precious metal coins will also be issued with a face value of 3,000 forints.

The obverse of the coins shows the reverse of the gold forint issued by King Ladislaus V in the center. St. Ladislaus I of Hungary is standing in the center holding a poleaxe with a short-handle and a globus cruciger surrounded by an inner border. Inside the beaded border running around the edge is the inscription ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (HUNGARY), with the denominations ‘50000’ or ‘3000’ and the lettering ‘FORINT,’ separated by flower motifs.

On the reverse, in the middle, partly extending beyond the circular, grid-patterned central field, bordered by a beaded edge, is the figure of King Ladislaus V sitting on the throne. This representation was inspired by an engraving in the Brno issue of the Thuróczy Chronicle, published in 1488. Beneath is the king’s coat of arms. To the left of the king is the mint mark ‘BP.’ with the minting year ‘2024’ underneath. To the right is the designer’s mark of sculptor Tamás E. Soltra. Inside the beaded border running along the edge of the reverse, is the inscription ‘V. LÁSZLÓ 1453-1457 ARANYFORINTJA’ (LADISLAUS V 1453-1457 GOLDEN FLORIN).

The gold coins conform to the traditional gold ducat standard. They are struck in .986 fine gold. The normal coin weighs 3.491 grams (1 ducat) and the piedfort weighs 13.964 grams (4 ducats). Selling prices are $489 and $1,489, respectively. The non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 3,000 is produced from an alloy of copper (75%), nickel (4%) zinc (21%) and weighs 2.7 grams. It costs $19.95.

The edges of the 1 ducat gold and the non-ferrous metal coins are smooth. The piedfort gold coins are decorated with a unique Latin inscription ‘+ LADISLAVS ∙ D ∙ G ∙ R ∙ VNGARIE’ (LADISLAUS DEI GRATIA REX UNGARIAE) on the edge, meaning ‘Ladislaus, king of Hungary by the grace of God.’ All three coins have the same diameter of 20 mm. The mintage limit of the piedfort collector coin is 500 and that of the normal coin is 2,000 in proof finish. The mintage limit of the non-ferrous coin is 5,000 in Uncirculated quality.

Hungary issued the gold coin of Charles I as the first piece in the ‘Hungarian Gold Florins from the Middle Ages’ series in 2012 with the aim of providing a full picture of good quality coins in medieval Hungarian money history, which preserved their value and were frequently accepted by foreign merchants as well. To be true to history, the first piece of the series was followed by the golden florin of Louis I in 2013, Queen Mary in 2014, Sigismund in 2016, Albert in 2018, Vladislaus I in 2020 and John Hunyadi in 2022.

Once they arrive from Budapest, towards the end of December, the coins will be available from the Hungarian

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