Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 500 Forint 1993, KM# 702, Hungary, Old Danube Ships, Árpád
  • 500 Forint 1993, KM# 702, Hungary, Old Danube Ships, Árpád
Description

The Árpád steamboat holds historical significance in Hungarian maritime history. It was one of the first steamboats to operate on the Danube River, which flows through several European countries including Hungary. The steamboat was named after Árpád, the leader of the Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin in the late 9th century, who is considered one of the founding fathers of Hungary. The history of the ship is intertwined with the name of Count István Széchenyi, on whose initiative Hungary's largest shipyard was established in Óbuda in 1835. The first steamship built here was the Árpád, which belonged to the type of paddle-wheel steamers.

Széchenyi purchased the ship's plans during his trip to England, and it represented the pinnacle of technological advancement of its time. The ship completed the Budapest-Bratislava route in just 24 hours, making it one of the fastest Hungarian ships of its era. Hungarians were also proud that the ship, equipped with an English engine, was made from Hungarian building materials. The Árpád steamship was destroyed during the First World War.

At the launch of the Árpád, the Hungarian National Anthem was publicly performed for the first time in the shipyard during the celebration.

Engraver: Mihály Fritz

Obverse

Depicts the first Hungarian Danube steamboat named "ÁRPÁD." Below the ship on the left, the year it was launched. On the right, there's a decorative frame with the title of the coin series, "Old Danube Ships," arranged in three lines.

Régi
dunai
hajók
ARPAD
1836

Reverse

Depicts at the center the coat of arms of the Republic of Hungary, below which is the denomination. The last letter of the word "FORINT" is depicted in the shape of an anchor. Aligned with the inscription, on the left side, the mintmark "BP" is positioned, beneath which is the year of issue, and on the same line, on the right side, are the initials "FM" representing the designer's name.

The Hungarian coat of arms, adopted in 1919 and reaffirmed on July 3, 1990, features a vertically divided shield with a rounded base. The left field displays eight red and silver horizontal bars, symbolizing the Árpád dynasty, while the right field depicts three green hills with a golden crown on the center hill and a silver patriarchal cross emerging from it. These elements represent the Danube, Tisza, Dráva, and Száva rivers, and the Tátra, Mátra, and Fátra mountain ranges. Atop the shield rests the Holy Crown of Hungary, also known as the Crown of Saint Stephen, which has been used for coronations since the 12th century. The crown's cross was tilted in the 17th century due to damage, and it has remained in this position since then, symbolizing the enduring history and legitimacy of Hungarian monarchs.

MAGYAR
500
Forint
BP.
1993
FM
KÖZTÁRSASÁG

Edge

500 Forint

Third Republic
KM# 702 Schön# 207 Adamo# EM129
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 31.46 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

Related coins

Third Republic, Carolina

Old Danube Ships

Silver, 31.46 g, ⌀ 38.61 mm
Third Republic, Hableány

Old Danube Ships

Silver, 31.46 g, ⌀ 38.61 mm