A nice pair of Hungarian proofs

brg5658

In Greg's (gmarguli) recent ebay offerings I was able to add a nice example of the 1 Korona restrike proof to my collection. It makes a nice pair with my 5 Korona restrike.

These two coins commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the leading of the Hungarian peoples to the Carpathian basin (present-day Hungary). The reverse of the coins show Árpád on horseback (c. 840 – c. 907). He was the second Grand Prince of the Hungarians (Magyars) from around 895 until his death in 907. Under his rule the Hungarian people settled in the Carpathian basin of current-day Hungary, and his descendants ruled the Principality of Hungary and later the Kingdom of Hungary until 1301.

The thousand years of history between 896 and 1896 were a tumultuous and ever-changing time in Hungarian identity. In the 10th century, the kingdom transitioned to a Christian state, Saint Stephen I being crowned the first King of Hungary during that time. Hungary boasted one of the most highly respected and effective military presences in the region, though they were not without their own struggles. In the mid 13th century an invasion by the Mongols dealt a blow to the Hungarian kingdom, killing almost half of the then 2,000,000 population. Such ups and down persisted in the region through World War II, communist Hungary from 1947-1989, to the modern day parliamentary republic of Hungary (known as the Third Republic of Hungary).

Note that the 1 Korona obverse is a different bust, and does not include the branch as on the 5 Korona. The diameter of the 1 Korona is also significantly smaller than her 5K sister.

coinsarefun

Very nice!

zompels

Pretty issues . Congrats

Zohar

WOW!

PBRat

Very nice.

Does anyone know the story of the Hungarian restrikes? When were they made, and why? Original dies?

JCMhouston

Very nice pair of coins.

brg5658

<< <i>Very nice.

Does anyone know the story of the Hungarian restrikes? When were they made, and why? Original dies? >>




Not sure about original dies, but usually the term "restrike" is strictly reserved for pieces struck in later years from original dies. That doesn't mean that these were though.

With regards to "when" they were made -- the references I can find state that these were "restruck in several years" -- and as far as I know, there is no way to know what year a particular example was restruck. Accordingly, the mintages are also not reported in any sources that I can find.

They are available from time to time -- but they are not around in mass quantities. I have been looking for a nice 1 Korona for a little over 3 years.

LochNESS

<< <i>In Greg's (gmarguli) recent ebay offerings ... >>

I bid on a few of his pieces as well, but not this one (only because it's not my focus). I thought of you instantly when I saw it Had "property of BRG" written all over it.

Greg has an amazing knack for finding those once-in-three-years pieces. He's one of the only reasons I still have an eBay account.