Obverse. Photo © Monetarium Numizmatika
  • 500 Forint 1992, KM# 687, Hungary, 800th Anniversary of Canonization of King Ladislaus I
  • 500 Forint 1992, KM# 687, Hungary, 800th Anniversary of Canonization of King Ladislaus I
  • 500 Forint 1992, KM# 687, Hungary, 800th Anniversary of Canonization of King Ladislaus I, Denar, Ladislaus I, 1077-1095
Description

Ladislaus I (1040–1095), also known as Saint Ladislas, ruled as King of Hungary from 1077 and King of Croatia from 1091. He was the son of King Béla I of Hungary and Richeza of Poland. Initially, Ladislaus and his brother Géza supported their cousin Solomon as king, but their relationship soured, leading to rebellion. After Géza's death, Ladislaus became king, facing resistance from Solomon and German King Henry IV. Ladislaus focused on restoring public safety, implementing strict laws, and expanding Hungary's territory into Croatia. He secured the kingdom's eastern borders against threats from the Pechenegs and Cumans. Ladislaus clashed with the Holy See over Croatia's sovereignty. Canonized in 1192, he is revered as a pious knight-king and remains a popular saint in Hungary and neighboring countries.

Engraver: Ferenc Lebó

Obverse

Depicts the herm of Saint Ladislaus with a halo around the head, surrounded by the Latin inscription above "Ladislaus King Canonized 1192", engraver's initials (LF) on the right.

A herma, also known as herm in English, is a sculpture featuring a head and possibly a torso above a plain, typically square lower section. Male genitals may also be carved at the appropriate height. The name "hermae" originates either from the prevalence of Hermes' head or from its connection with the Greek word ἕρματα (érma), meaning stone blocks, which initially had no association with Hermes. This form originated in ancient Greece, was adopted by the Romans (referred to as mercuriae), and experienced a revival during the Renaissance in the form of term figures and atlantes.

The Saint Ladislaus herm is a revered relic containing a portion of the skull of King Ladislaus I of Hungary, cherished by the Hungarian people and Hungarian Catholics. After his canonization, Ladislaus's body was interred in a grand tomb, while his head was placed in a separate reliquary for religious veneration. Originally crafted from wood, the reliquary was lost in a fire in 1406, but the skull remained intact. A new herm, adorned in silver with an exposed top for touching, was created during King Sigismund's reign, designed to be opened from above. Passing through various hands, including the Báthory family, it eventually came under the ownership of the Diocese of Győr in 1606. The herm underwent restoration in Prague, and parts of it, such as the jawbone, were separated and relocated to different locations for safekeeping. In 1861, the herm found its current home in the Basilica of Győr, where it is displayed on a new altar under ornate glass. Legend has it that during an earthquake in Győr in 1762, prayers to Saint Ladislaus spared the city from significant damage, leading to an annual procession of the herm through the city as a sign of gratitude and protection. Though interrupted for a time, this tradition has since been reinstated and continues to be observed in solemn ceremonies.

LADISLAUS REX CANONISATUS 1192
LF

Reverse

Depicts a central pearl circle, broken at the bottom by a battle axe. Within the pearl circle, the denomination is inscribed. The front and back sides of Saint Ladislaus' denar are visible within the two zeros of the denomination. In the encircling inscription, the lowercase printed text reads the mint mark and the issuance year. Stylized crosses separate the inscription from the mint mark and the year of minting.

MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG
500 FORINT
+ BP. 1992 +

Edge

500 Forint

Third Republic

800th Anniversary of Canonization of King Ladislaus I

KM# 687 Schön# 195 Adamo# EM125
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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