Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Forint 1966, KM# 568, Hungary, 400th Anniversary of Death of Nikola IV Zrinski
  • 50 Forint 1966, KM# 568, Hungary, 400th Anniversary of Death of Nikola IV Zrinski
Description

Nikola IV Zrinski (1508-1566), also known as Miklós IV Zrínyi, was a Croatian nobleman and military leader, serving as Ban of Croatia from 1542 to 1556 and as royal master of the treasury from 1557 to 1566. He hailed from the prominent Zrinski and Kurjaković families, which became the most influential noble lineage in the Kingdom of Croatia during his lifetime. Zrinski gained widespread recognition for his bravery during the Siege of Szigetvár in 1566, where he valiantly perished while halting the advance of the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent towards Vienna. This pivotal battle was hailed by Cardinal Richelieu as "the battle that saved civilization." Zrinski is revered as a symbol of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and Christian heroism, earning him national hero status in both Croatia and Hungary, and inspiring numerous artistic depictions.

Engraver: Iván István

Obverse

Depicts the portrait of Miklós Zrínyi wearing a cap with a noble ornament on his head, his name above, dates of his birth and death on the left and the right, the denomination and the mintmark (BP.) below.

ZRINYI MIKLÓS
1508- 50 -1566
BP.

Reverse

Depicts a detail of Bertalan Székely's painting "Zrinyi's Charge from the Fortress" (1879-1885) with Nikola IV Zrinski's coat of arms, surrounded by the country name (Hungarian People's Republic), the issue date and the denomination in written form below.

In the spring of 1566, Zrinski found himself stationed in Szigetvár, a crucial fortress along the shortest route to Vienna. This was when the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent led a massive army on his second attempt to conquer Vienna, deciding to first seize Szigetvár. Despite being given the option to depart by the new king, Maximilian II, Zrinski chose to stay, emphasizing the lives of thousands relying on the fortress's defense. With strategic preparations underway, Zrinski braced for the impending confrontation with the Sultan. Suleiman's forces reached Belgrade by June 27 after an arduous march. Upon learning of Zrinski's successful attack on Turkish forces at Siklós in July, Suleiman diverted his attention from Eger to focus on eliminating Zrinski's threat at Szigetvár.

For over a month, from August 5 to September 7, Zrinski valiantly defended Szigetvár with a small force of approximately 2,300–2,500 soldiers, mainly Croats, against the vast Ottoman army of over 100,000 soldiers and 300 cannons led by Suleiman himself. Despite the lack of promised reinforcements and Suleiman's offer of Croatian land, Zrinski remained resolute. The siege culminated in a desperate and suicidal charge led by Zrinski on September 7, 1566. Although Suleiman passed away from natural causes a day before the Ottomans could claim victory, Zrinski met his demise during the charge, shot by a Janissary with a musket. His head, reportedly offered as a reward, was buried by his son Juraj IV Zrinski and others at the Pauline monastery in Sveta Jelena, Šenkovec, Croatia. The fate of his body remains uncertain, with conflicting accounts suggesting it may have been burned or buried near the battlefield. A tombstone in Čakovec, Croatia, believed to belong to Nikola IV Zrinski, possibly marks the site where his head was interred. Additionally, artifacts including his sabre, helmet, and a silk robe, potentially worn during Maximilian II's 1563 coronation, are preserved in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

MAGYAR · NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG
1966
ÖTVEN FORINT

Edge

50 Forint

People's Republic
KM# 568 Unger# 1566 Huszar# 2360 Adamo# EM18
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.640
Weight 20 g
Diameter 36 mm
Thickness 2.5 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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