Coins of Hungary were probably held by everyone. Have you noticed that coins before 1945 must have a crown with a slanting cross? In this topic, I will first talk about this very significant symbol of statehood for all Hungarians, and then show several coins of this period from my collection.
KM # 422, 20 Crusher 1848, Silver 0.583, 15 MMex. production years 1837-1848
In 1848-1849, a national uprising broke out in Hungary under the leadership of Lajos Kossuth, which was crushed with the help of the Russian Empire. Nevertheless, during this period, the Hungarians managed to issue a line of bargaining chips.
KM # 430.1 1 1848 Crossover Copper Single Year
KM # 430.2 1 1849 Crossover Copper Single Year
Lajos Kossuth, President of Hungary 1848-1849
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed in 1867 and lasted until 1918. The Austrian monarchs from the Habsburg dynasty ruled Hungary at that time: Franz Joseph I (1848-1916) and Charles IV (1916-1918).
Emperors of Austria-Hungary Franz Joseph I (left) and Charles IV (right)
KM # 441.1, 1 Kreutzer 1872, copper, m. Kremnitz, production years 1868-1873
KM # 442, 4 Kreuzer 1868, copper, MT Kremnitz, 3.1 MMex., single year of manufacture
KM # 451, 10 crossers 1870, silver 0.400, m. Kremnitsa, 21.9 million ex. years of production 1870-1889
KM # 453.1, 1 forint 1879, silver 0.900, m/d Kremnica, 25.8 M ex. years 1870-1879
KM # 468, 5/10 Kreutzer 1882, copper, mL Kremnitz, 2.4 MMex. single year of manufacture
KM # 458, 1 Crusher 1885, Copper, Kremnitz, 26.6 MMex. production years 1878-1885
KM # 478, 1 Crosser 1891, Copper, Kremnitz, 16.3 M equivalent, years 1891.1892
In 1892, a monetary reform was carried out. They left the cruisers and forints, fillers and crowns were put into circulation.
KM # 480, 1 filler 1895, bronze, m. Kremnitsa, 9.1 million copies, years of production 1892-1914
KM # 481, 2 fillers 1897, bronze, m. Kremnica, 19.1 million copies, years of production 1892-1915
KM # 482, 10 fillers 1908, nickel, m. Kremnitz, 6.8 million copies, years 1892-1914
KM # 483, 20 fillers 1914, nickel, mL Kremnitz, 5.4 M equivalent, years 1892-1914
KM # 484, Hungary 1 crown 1893, silver 0.835, 24.4 million ex. years of issue 1892-1906
KM # 487, 1 crown 1896, silver 0.835, 1 million copies, the only year of issue is a jubilee coin dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the formation of the Hungarian state.
The next issue of new coins came in the First World War. Coins from this period can be viewed here. I will add only silver 1 and 2 crowns, produced at that time and not included in the review.
KM # 492, 1 crown 1915, silver 0.835, m. Kremnica, 3.9 million ex. years 1912-1916
KM # 493, 2 crowns 1913, silver 0.835, mD Kremnica, 3 M ex. years 1912-1914
As in many European (and not only) states in the period after the end of World War I, Hungary was going through a difficult time. The Hungarian Soviet Republic was even somehow declared, which, however, did not last long. The monarchy without a monarch was restored in 1920. The regent until 1944 was Vice Admiral Miklos Horthy.
Post-war inflation also made itself felt. In 1927, the Government was forced to carry out monetary reform. The new currency was penge (from Hungarian - voiced). The old Hungarian crowns were exchanged at a rate of 12,500: 1.
KM # 505, 1 filler 1930, bronze, m. Budapest, 3.7 M ex. years 1926-1939
KM # 506, 2 fillers 1935, bronze, m. Budapest, 10 million copies, production years 1926-1940
KM # 507, 10 fillers 1926, copper-nickel, m. Budapest, 20 million copies, production years 1926-1940
KM # 508, 20 fillers 1938, copper-nickel, m. Budapest, 20.2 million copies, production years 1926-1940
KM # 509, 50 fillers 1940, copper-nickel, m. Budapest, 6 million ex. years 1926-1940
KM # 510, 1 pengo 1938, silver 0.640, m. Budapest, 5 million ex. years of production 1926-1939
KM # 511, 2 pengo 1938, silver 0.640, m. Budapest, 6.4 M ex. years 1929-1939
Commemorative coins of the period.
KM # 512, 5 pengo 1930, silver 0.640, m. Budapest, 3.7 million ex. dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the regency of Admiral Horthy
KM # 513, 2 pengo 1935, silver 0.640, metro Budapest, 50 thousand copies, dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic University of Peter Pazman.
KM # 514, 2 pengo 1935, silver 0.640, metro Budapest, 100 thousand copies, dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the death of Prince Transylvania Ferenc II Rakoczy.
KM # 515, 2 pengo 1936, silver 0.640, metro Budapest, 200 thousand copies, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the death of the Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt.
KM # 516, 5 pengo 1938, silver 0.640, metro Budapest, 600 thousand copies, dedicated to the 900 year anniversary of the death of St. Stephen.
True, there is a slight inconsistency. Unlike numerous other images of Istvan, the crown is drawn "correct," i.e. only its upper part. Was there a cross on the "first" crown at the time when King Istvan wore it during his lifetime?
KM # 517, 5 pengo 1939, silver 0.640, metro Budapest, 408 thousand copies, Vice Admiral Miklos Horthy, Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary
A selection of Hungarian coins from the Second World War can be found here.
In February 1945, the Red Army liberated Budapest. The Provisional Government that came to power issued a single coin - aluminum 5 pence. In our review, this is the last coin on which there is an image of the crown of St. Istvan.
KM # 525, 5 pengo 1945, aluminium, 5 M ex, single year of manufacture
Due to catastrophic inflation, this coin soon lost its solvency. During the monetary reform of 1946, the exchange rate was 400 octillion penge per forint (400,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000: 1).
In 1946, Hungary moved to the socialist camp for a long time and the Crown of St. Stephen appeared on regular coins only in 1992. Continuing the history of the Crown itself, it should be noted that it was taken by the Germans during the retreat to Austria to the Americans, who returned it to Hungary only in 1978.