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In 2026, The Hungarian Mint is issuing a gold collector coin called “The Gold Florin of Matthias I”, in single-ducat weight and quadruple-ducat weight (piedfort) versions, as well as a base metal version in a copper-nickel-zinc alloy. The face value of the gold versions is 50,000 forints, while the base metal one has a face value of 5,000 forints. Their designs are identical and are based on the coins listed as Friedberg number 22 in the 10th edition of Gold Coins of the World.
The center of the obverse features a depiction of the back of the gold florin minted by King Matthias I showing St. Ladislas standing holding an orb in one hand and a battle axe in the other. The circular legend at the front top edge reads “MAGYARORSZÁG” (Hungary), while the denomination is at the bottom in a slightly raised semi-circular band. The “BP.” Mark of the Budapest mint is on the left and the date “2026” on the right.
The reverse shows the central theme on the original coin’s obverse, Madonna seated holding her child. The circular legend at the top on the back reads “I. MÁTYÁS ARANYFORINTJA” (Gold florin of Matthias I), with the dates of his reign “1458” and “1490” sharing the first two digits, and the mark of the coin’s designer Fanni Király at the left. The bottom half has the legend “MATHIAS REX” (King Matthias) in two lines, and a part of the Hunyadi family’s coat of arms, a raven perched on a branch with a ring in its beak.
The edge of the piedfort 4 ducat gold coin has the Latin expression “PATRONA HVNGARIE” (Patroness of Hungary) twice, separated by dots, using a font identical to that used on the ‘garas’ coins which were also minted during the reign of King Matthias I.
It is of the traditional standard of .986 fine gold and struck in proof-like quality. It weighs 13.964 grams and has a mintage of only 500 pieces. It is 20 mm in diameter.
These coins continue a “Gold Florins of Medieval Hungary” series begun in 2012 with a coin based on the florin of Charles I, followed by ones representing the gold florins of Louis I in 2013, Mary in 2014, Sigismund in 2016, Albert in 2018, Vladislaus I in 2020, John Hunyadi in 2022 and Ladislaus V in 2024.
Hungarian minting achieved European standards under King Matthias I Corvinus, who put great emphasis on maintaining the stability of the gold florin. Thanks to their high gold content, these became respected and desirable currency, not only in Hungary but in neighboring countries as well, so much so that their design was often imitated. The currency reforms introduced by Matthias increased royal revenues and bolstered the economic and political strength of the Hungarian kingdom in the 15th century. |
