Obverse. Photo © MA-SHOPS
  • 500 Forint 1990, KM# 680, Hungary, 500th Anniversary of Death of King Matthias Corvinus
  • 500 Forint 1990, KM# 680, Hungary, 500th Anniversary of Death of King Matthias Corvinus
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 medieval Buda on the top, with the inscriptions "Royal city Buda" arranged in three rows on the right. The medieval Vienna below, with the text "Vienna, King Matthias of Hungary, died 1490", separated by dots in a wavy ribbon above it. The obverse of King Matthias' gold Florin on the right. The engraver's initials (LF) on the left.

Engraver: Ferenc Lebó

BVDA
CIVITAS
REGIA
LF
VIENNA VBI MATHIAS REX HVNGARIAE MORTVVS 1490

Reverse

Depicts, within a three-lobed, broken frame inspired by King Matthias' denar, the denomination five-leaf rosette on top, the country name (Hungarian Republic), the mintmark (BP), the issue year, and the engraver's initials below.

Engraver: András Kiss Nagy

500
FORINT
MAGYAR
KÖZTÁRSASÁG
BP.
1990
KNA

Edge

500 Forint

Third Republic, Buda Civitas Regia
KM# 680 Schön# 184 Adamo# EM114
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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