Obverse. Photo © NUMIS NUMISMATICS
  • 5000 Forint 2006, KM# 794, Hungary, 550th Anniversary of the Siege of Belgrade (Nándorfehérvár)
  • 5000 Forint 2006, KM# 794, Hungary, 550th Anniversary of the Siege of Belgrade (Nándorfehérvár)
Description

The Siege of Nándorfehérvár, known today as Belgrade, Serbia, stands as a crucial event in Hungarian and European history. Occurring in 1456, this siege saw the Kingdom of Hungary's forces, under the leadership of John Hunyadi and his deputy Mihály Szilágyi, successfully defending the fortress against the Ottoman Empire.

At the time, the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II launched a formidable campaign to capture Belgrade, a fortress of strategic importance situated on the border between Christian Europe and the Ottoman Empire. The fall of Belgrade would have paved the way for further Ottoman expansion into Central Europe. Despite being outnumbered and facing a well-equipped Ottoman army, the defenders of Belgrade, comprising Hungarian, Serbian, Croatian, and other European soldiers, demonstrated remarkable courage and resolve. They repelled the Ottoman forces through repeated assaults.

A turning point in the siege occurred on July 22, 1456, when a substantial Christian army, including troops from Hungary, Poland, Wallachia, and other European states, arrived to relieve the defenders. Led by John Hunyadi, this coalition launched a counterattack, decisively defeating the Ottomans and compelling their retreat. Celebrated across Europe, the victory at Belgrade symbolized the triumph of Christian arms against the Ottoman threat. It dealt a significant blow to Mehmed II's expansionist ambitions and temporarily halted the Ottoman advance into Central Europe.

Engraver: Tamás E. Soltra

Obverse

Depicts full-length portraits of John Hunyadi and John of Capistrano within a rectangular frame. Above the frame, the year "1456" is displayed, and below the frame, in two rows, the inscriptions "Nándorfehérvár Victory" can be read. On the left side, from bottom to top, the inscription "John Hunyadi" is shown, while on the right side, from top to bottom, the inscription "John of Capistrano" is visible. Inside the frame, in the bottom left corner, the engraver's privy mark is placed.

John Hunyadi (1406–1456) emerged as a prominent Hungarian military and political figure in the 15th century, renowned for his pivotal role in resisting the Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe. Born into nobility, he gained renown as a skilled military strategist and commander, earning admiration from allies and foes alike through his prowess on the battlefield.
Among his notable achievements was the decisive victory at the Battle of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) in 1456. Leading a diverse coalition of Christian forces, he successfully defended the fortress of Belgrade against a formidable Ottoman army, thwarting their advance into Central Europe. This triumph garnered widespread acclaim and is hailed as a crucial moment in Hungarian and European history.

John of Capistrano (1386–1456), also known as János Kapisztrán in Hungarian, played a crucial role in the defense of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) in 1456. As a Franciscan friar and preacher, he galvanized support for the Christian forces defending the city against the Ottoman siege. John of Capistrano's compelling speeches and religious zeal inspired soldiers and civilians alike to resist the Ottoman assault. His presence bolstered morale and fostered unity among the defenders. While he did not directly engage in military actions, his spiritual guidance contributed to the eventual triumph of the Christian coalition led by John Hunyadi. John of Capistrano's involvement in the defense of Nándorfehérvár solidified his reputation as a defender of the Christian faith and earned him acclaim as a pivotal figure in Hungarian history.

1456
· HUNYADI JÁNOS ·
· KAPISZTRÁN JÁNOS ·
SET
NÁNDORFEHÉRVÁRI
DIADAL

Reverse

Depicts an ornate sword hilt. On the left side of the hilt, the years "1456" are depicted, while on the right side, the jubilee years "2006" are shown. Encircling the design, the inscription "HUNGARIAN REPUBLIC" appears at the top, and at the bottom, adjacent to the blade, the denomination is presented, with the inscription "FORINT" to its right. On the blade, enclosed within a square frame, two rows exhibit the inscriptions "550" and "YEAR," marking the anniversary. Beneath the frame, the mint mark "BP." is positioned.

MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG · 5000 · BP. · FORINT ·
1456 2006
550
ÉV

Edge

5000 Forint

Third Republic

550th Anniversary of the Siege of Belgrade (Nándorfehérvár)

KM# 794 Adamo# EM204
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)

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