Obverse. Photo © OneBid
  • 500 Forint 1990, KM# 679, Hungary, 500th Anniversary of Death of King Matthias Corvinus, Matthias Corvinus and Beatrice of Naples
  • 500 Forint 1990, KM# 679, Hungary, 500th Anniversary of Death of King Matthias Corvinus, Matthias Corvinus and Beatrice of Naples
Description

Matthias Corvinus (1443–1490), also known as Matthias Hunyadi, was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490, ruling as Matthias I. He expanded his reign by becoming King of Bohemia in 1469 and adopting the title Duke of Austria in 1487. Son of John Hunyadi, Regent of Hungary, Matthias ascended to the throne at 14 years old with the support of his uncle Michael Szilágyi after his father's death. Despite initially ruling under his uncle's guidance, he quickly took control of the government. Matthias engaged in military campaigns against Czech mercenaries and Emperor Frederick III, ultimately signing a peace treaty with the latter in 1463. He later focused on internal affairs, introducing new taxes and facing rebellion in Transylvania in 1467. Matthias also waged war against George of Poděbrady, King of Bohemia, expanding his territories but facing resistance from the Hussite lords. He bolstered defenses against the Ottoman Empire, aiding Moldavia against Ottoman invasions and securing peace treaties with neighboring powers. Known for his patronage of arts and science, Matthias's reign marked a flourishing of culture in Hungary, earning him the epithet "Matthias the Just" and enduring popularity in folklore.

Engraver: Ferenc Lebó

Obverse

Depicts busts of Matthias Corvinus and his wife Beatrice of Naples facing each other in Renaissance style, the Latin inscription "King Matthias and Queen Beatrix of Hungary" below.

Beatrice of Naples (1457–1508), alternatively referred to as Beatrice of Aragon, held the titles of Queen of Hungary and Queen of Bohemia twice through her marriages to Matthias Corvinus and Vladislaus II, respectively. She was born to Ferdinand I of Naples and Isabella of Clermont.

Beatrice of Naples, educated at her father's court, married Matthias in Hungary on December 22, 1476, becoming Queen of Hungary. Their union strengthened ties between Hungary and Naples. Beatrice played a significant role in Hungarian policy, promoting the Italian Renaissance and supporting Matthias's cultural endeavors. Despite tensions arising from Matthias's illegitimate son and his mother's presence at court, Beatrice maintained her power after Matthias's death in 1490. She remarried Vladislaus II of Bohemia and Hungary in 1491, a marriage later declared illegal by the pope in 1500. Forced to pay the trial costs, Beatrice returned to Naples, where she died in 1508.

MATHIAS REX
ET BEATRIX REGINA
HVNGARIAE

Reverse

Depicts Matthias Corvinus Monument, the country name above (Hungarian Republic), dividing the Latin inscription "King Matthias †1490", the denomination on the left, the mintmark (BP), the issue year, and the engraver's name below.

The Matthias Corvinus Monument stands in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Designed by János Fadrusz and unveiled in 1902. Following the casting of the bronze sculpture at the ore foundry, a smaller plaster model was created and exhibited at the World Exhibition in Paris, where it received the prestigious Grand Prix award.

MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG
MATHIAS REX †1490
500
FORINT
BP. 1990
LEBÓ F.

Edge

500 Forint

Third Republic
KM# 679 Schön# 183 Adamo# EM113
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 28 g
Diameter 40 mm
Thickness 2.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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