Obverse. Photo © Monetnik.ru
  • 20 000 Forint 2017, KM# 934, Hungary, 150th Anniversary of the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867
  • 20 000 Forint 2017, KM# 934, Hungary, 150th Anniversary of the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867
Description

The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, known as the Ausgleich in German and Kiegyezés in Hungarian, established the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, forming a military and diplomatic alliance between two sovereign states. This agreement, which partially restored Hungary's pre-1848 sovereignty, ended Emperor Franz Joseph's 18-year military dictatorship following the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and reinstated the Kingdom of Hungary's territorial integrity and historic constitution.

During negotiations, Hungarian leaders aimed to regain the traditional status of Hungary lost after the 1848 revolution and restore reforms enacted by the revolutionary parliament, known as the April Laws. These laws, except for those based on the 9th and 10th points, were reinstated by Franz Joseph.

Under the Compromise, the House of Habsburg's lands were reorganized into a real union, with the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary governed separately but united under a single monarch. Each state had its own parliament and prime minister, while unified diplomatic and defense policies were maintained through "common" ministries. Despite initial discontent among ethnic Hungarian voters, the ruling Liberal Party's support for the Compromise, especially among ethnic minorities, ensured its political survival.

Engraver: István Kósa

Obverse

Depicts a half-length portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth in an oval frame. Below the portraits, following the outline of the oval frame, a micro-inscription reads "ELIZABETH • FRANZ JOSEPH I •". On the left side of the portraits, partially obscured, is a detail of the small coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the coat of arms of Austria. Above the depiction, in the center, in a seal-like shape, the jubilee years "1867" and "2017" are visible in two horizontal rows, connected by the numeral seven. Below the depiction, in the center, the engraver's privy mark is placed. The edge of the coin is decorated with a bead border, interrupted by a downward curving inner rim. In the middle of its lower edge, the inscription "COMPROMISE" is written in semi-circular form.

Franz Joseph I (1830-1916) was Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. He oversaw the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which granted Hungary greater autonomy, transforming the Austrian Empire into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Despite personal tragedies, including the execution of his brother and the suicide of his son, Franz Joseph's reign was marked by 45 years of relative peace. However, the assassination of his nephew Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 led to Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia, triggering World War I. Franz Joseph, the longest-reigning emperor of Austria, passed away on 21 November 1916, after ruling for almost 68 years.

Elisabeth (1837–1898), nicknamed Sisi or Sissi, was Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1854 until her assassination in 1898. Born into Bavaria's royal family, she struggled with the formalities of court life. Despite personal tragedies, including the death of her son, Elisabeth played a role in establishing the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867. Known for her obsession with youth and beauty, she met a tragic end when fatally stabbed by an anarchist in 1898.

1867
2017
Ki
•ERZSÉBET • I.FERENC JÓZSEF •
KIEGYEZÉS

Reverse

Depicts a half-length portrait of Ferenc Deák within an oval frame. Below the frame, a micro-inscription reads "• FERENC DEÁK •". On the right side, partially obscured, a detail of the small coat of arms of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and the crowned coat of arms of Hungary are linked to the portrait frame.

Above the portrait, in three horizontal rows, the denomination, the inscription "FORINT", and the year of issue "2017" are shown, while below the portrait, the mintmark "BP." is visible. Under at least tenfold magnification, micro-inscriptions appear within the mintmark.

The coin's edge features a bead border, broken by a downward curving inner rim. In the center of the lower edge, the inscription "HUNGARY" is displayed in a semi-circular form, beneath which the micro-inscription reads "I CAN LOVE MY COUNTRY BETTER THAN HATING OUR ENEMIES."

Ferenc Deák de Kehida (1803–1876) was a prominent Hungarian statesman and Minister of Justice, earning the nickname "The Wise Man of the Nation." He played a pivotal role in key events of Hungarian history, including the passage of the April laws, the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, and the Hungarian Nationalities Law (1868). Throughout his career, Deák was praised for his ability to negotiate reasonable compromises between various political factions, earning him a reputation as one of Hungary's most influential figures in the liberal movement.

20000
FORINT
2017
• DEÁK FERENC •
JOBBAN TUDOM SZERETNI A HAZÁT, MINT GYŰLÖLNI ELLENSÉGEINKET.

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 77.76 g
Diameter 52.5 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

Related coins