Obverse. Photo © Zomi Numizmatika
  • 10 000 Forint 2012, KM# P28, Hungary, Gold Florins of Medieval Hungary, Gold Florin of Charles I Robert
  • 10 000 Forint 2012, KM# P28, Hungary, Gold Florins of Medieval Hungary, Gold Florin of Charles I Robert
Description

A piedfort is an unusually thick coin, often exactly twice the normal weight and thickness of other coins of the same diameter and pattern. Piedforts are not normally circulated, and are only struck for presentation purposes by mint officials (such as patterns), or for collectors, dignitaries, and other VIPs.

Gold coinage has a longstanding history in Hungary, dating back to the early days of the Hungarian kingdom. The first known gold coin was a solidus minted during the reign of the kingdom's inaugural ruler, St. Stephen (997-1038), which is exceptionally scarce today. Subsequently, over 300 years passed before another gold coin emerged, struck during the reign of the first monarch from the House of Anjou, King Charles (or Karl) Robert (1301-1342). While this coin occasionally surfaces in collectors' markets today, fetching thousands of dollars, it serves as the prototype for the inaugural release in an annual series of Hungarian gold coins titled "The Gold Florins of Medieval Hungary." The newly issued legal tender 10,000 Forint coin faithfully replicates both sides of Charles I's Gold Florin, supplemented with the king's name and reign dates.

Engraver: Tamás E. Soltra

Obverse

Depicts the reverse design of Charles I Robert's Gold Florin, showcasing Saint John the Baptist standing. The top inscription reads "Charles I," while the bottom text indicates his birth and death years, "1301–1342." Adorning the space between the top and bottom inscriptions are decorative motifs depicting the Angevin lily on both the left and right sides. Additionally, positioned below the motif on the right side is the engraver's privy mark.

During this period, akin to prevailing practices throughout much of Europe, the design of the Hungarian gold florin mirrored that of the gold coins from Florence, introduced in 1252, featuring the fleur de lis motif known as the fiorino d’oro (also influencing the Hungarian word “Forint”). On the reverse side of King Charles's coins, an image of Saint John the Baptist, the city's patron saint, was depicted, encircled by the legend S IOHANNES B. While a small crown possibly representing the Buda mint appeared at the end of the legend, its consistent presence on all known specimens suggests it more likely signified the Kingdom of Hungary as the issuer, clearly distinguishing it from Florentine coins.

+ I. KÁROLY +
·S·IOHANNES·B·
SET
1301-1342

Reverse

Depicts the obverse design of Charles I Robert's Gold Florin, showcasing the fleur de lis motif, recognized as the fiorino d’oro (also the origin of the Hungarian word “forint”). The top inscription reads "HUNGARY," while the bottom inscription, separated by a dot, indicates the denomination and "FORINT." Positioned between these inscriptions, the year of issue "2012" is displayed on the left side, while the mintmark "BP." is situated on the right side.

MAGYARORSZÁG
2012 BP.
10000 · FORINT

Edge

Depicts the inscription "King Charles of Florence 1325", concluding with the ornamental motif depicting the Anjou lily

KAROLUS · REX · FLORENUS · 1325

10 000 Forint

Piedfort
KM# P28 Adamo# EM250
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.986
Weight 13.96 g
Diameter 20 mm
Thickness 2.4 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

Related coins

Gold Florin of Maria of Anjou

Gold Florins of Medieval Hungary

Nickel Zinc, 2.7 g, ⌀ 20 mm
Gold Florin of Sigismund of Luxembourg

Gold Florins of Medieval Hungary

Copper Nickel, 2.7 g, ⌀ 20 mm
Gold Florin of Albert the Magnanimous

Gold Florins of Medieval Hungary

Nickel Silver, 2.7 g, ⌀ 20 mm