Obverse. Photo © Collector Coins
  • 20 000 Forint 2018, Adamo# EM371, Hungary, 575th Anniversary of Birth of King Matthias Corvinus
  • 20 000 Forint 2018, Adamo# EM371, Hungary, 575th Anniversary of Birth of King Matthias Corvinus
Description

Matthias Corvinus (1443–1490), also known as Matthias Hunyadi, was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490, ruling as Matthias I. He expanded his reign by becoming King of Bohemia in 1469 and adopting the title Duke of Austria in 1487. Son of John Hunyadi, Regent of Hungary, Matthias ascended to the throne at 14 years old with the support of his uncle Michael Szilágyi after his father's death. Despite initially ruling under his uncle's guidance, he quickly took control of the government. Matthias engaged in military campaigns against Czech mercenaries and Emperor Frederick III, ultimately signing a peace treaty with the latter in 1463. He later focused on internal affairs, introducing new taxes and facing rebellion in Transylvania in 1467. Matthias also waged war against George of Poděbrady, King of Bohemia, expanding his territories but facing resistance from the Hussite lords. He bolstered defenses against the Ottoman Empire, aiding Moldavia against Ottoman invasions and securing peace treaties with neighboring powers. Known for his patronage of arts and science, Matthias's reign marked a flourishing of culture in Hungary, earning him the epithet "Matthias the Just" and enduring popularity in folklore.

Engraver: Tamás E. Soltra

Obverse

Depicts the gold florin of Matthias Corvinus. Below it is King Matthias' calligraphic signature. In the central field of the florin, the figures of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus are positioned, surrounded by vases filled with flowers on both sides. The coin's inscription, "MATHIAS D G R VNGARIE," translates to "Matthias, by the Grace of God, King of Hungary." This inscription is interrupted at the bottom edge by the image of a raven holding a ring in its beak.

To the left of the coin's depiction, the years "1443," "1458," and "1490" are displayed, with the first two digits of each year highlighted. On the right, the issue year "2018" and the mint mark "BP." are visible in two rows beneath each other. The first digit of the issue year, "0," forms a ring held in the beak of a raven depicted next to the mint mark. Under at least tenfold magnification, micro-engraving is visible within the mint mark. At the bottom, there is a depiction of a detail from the original throne canopy of Matthias Corvinus.

14 43 2018
•MAThIAS•D G•R•VnGARIE•
58 BP.
90

Reverse

Depicts a detail of the bas-relief of King Matthias from Bautzen. Along the upper edge, the quarter-circle inscription reads "HUNGARY" and "KING MATTHIAS," separated by an image of a crown. To the left of the relief is the denomination, and to the right is the inscription "FORINT." At the bottom center, the engraver's privy mark is placed.

MAGYARORSZÁG MÁTYÁS KIRÁLY
20000 FORINT
SET

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

Related coins

575th Anniversary of Birth of King Matthias Corvinus

Copper Nickel, 76.5 g, ⌀ 52.5 mm