Obverse. Photo © Magyar Nemzeti Bank
  • 50 000 Forint 2019, Adamo# EM373, Hungary, Saints of the House of Árpád, Saint Irene (Piroska) of Hungary
  • 50 000 Forint 2019, Adamo# EM373, Hungary, Saints of the House of Árpád, Saint Irene (Piroska) of Hungary
Description

In 2017, the Hungarian National Bank launched a new coin series featuring the Saints of the House of Árpád.

Irene of Hungary (born Piroska; 1088-1134) was a Hungarian princess of the Árpád dynasty. She was the eldest daughter of King Saint Ladislaus I of Hungary and Princess Adelhaid of Rheinfelden. After the early deaths of her parents, Piroska was raised in the court of her cousin, King Coloman of Hungary. At the age of 16, she was betrothed to John II Komnenos, the Byzantine heir apparent, to strengthen political ties between Hungary and the Byzantine Empire. Upon her marriage, she converted to the Orthodox faith and took the name Eirene (Irene).

Her marriage to John II Komnenos produced eight children, including future Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos. As Empress Eirene, she played a significant role in the Byzantine court, hosting pilgrims from the Holy Land and envoys from Hungary, and mediating between her native Hungary and her adopted Byzantium. She founded the Pantokrator Monastery in Constantinople, which included a hospital that influenced medieval European hospital architecture. Known for her pious life and charitable works, Eirene was canonized as a saint in the Orthodox Church, with her feast day celebrated on August 13. Her legacy includes a preserved mosaic portrait in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, and she is honored among the saints in the Roman and Greek Catholic churches.

Engraver: Fanni Király

Obverse

Depicts a half-length portrait of Saint Irene (Piroska) of Hungary, holding the founding charter of the monastery. The depiction is based on the mosaic found in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. To the left of the image, in three rows one below the other, are the words "SAINT," "PIROSKA," and the birth and death years "1088-1134." To the right, her name as Byzantine Empress, written in the contemporary Greek script, can be seen. Along the edge of the commemorative coin, at the top in a semicircle, is the inscription "HUNGARY," and to the left of the depiction at the bottom, the engraver's privy mark is placed.

MAGYARORSZÁG
SZENT
PIROSKA
1088-1134
ÉIPHNH

Reverse

Depicts the Pantokrator Monastery founded by Saint Irene (Piroska) in Constantinople. Along the edge, in the upper circular inscription, is the text "PANTOKRATOR MONASTERY" and in the lower circular inscription, in the center, is the denomination and the "Ft" (Forint) symbol. To the left is the "BP." mint mark, and to the right is the "2019" year of issue.

Between 1118 and 1124, Byzantine Empress Irene of Hungary built a monastery dedicated to Christ Pantokrator, featuring a church, a library, and a hospital. After her death in 1134, Emperor John II Komnenos added another church dedicated to the Theotokos Eleousa, connected by a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael, which became the imperial mausoleum for the Komnenos and Palaiologos dynasties. During the Latin occupation after the Fourth Crusade in 1204, the complex was taken over by Venetian clergy and used as an imperial palace. After the Palaiologan restoration, the monastery returned to Orthodox monks, with Gennadius II Scholarius, who later became the first Patriarch of Constantinople post-1453, being one of its notable residents.

Shortly after the Fall of Constantinople, the main church was converted into a mosque, and the monastery briefly served as a medrese named after the scholar Molla Zeyrek. Despite this, its Byzantine significance was remembered, documented by foreign visitors like French traveler Pierre Gilles in the 16th century. After the Fatih complex medreses were completed in 1471, Zeyrek was abandoned by Muslim students, and the school facilities disappeared. By the early 21st century, the structure was in disrepair and listed as an endangered monument by UNESCO. Extensive restoration has since been completed, and the mosque has reopened for prayer.

PANTOKRÁTOR KOLOSTOR
BP.
50000 Ft
2019

Edge

50 000 Forint

Saints of the House of Árpád
Saint Irene (Piroska) of Hungary

Subscribe series
Adamo# EM373
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.986
Weight 6.982 g
Diameter 22 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

Related coins

Saint Margaret of Hungary

Saints of the House of Árpád

Nickel Brass, 4.2 g, ⌀ 22 mm
Saint Irene (Piroska) of Hungary

Saints of the House of Árpád

Nickel Silver, 4.2 g, ⌀ 22 mm
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary

Saints of the House of Árpád

Nickel Brass, 4.2 g, ⌀ 22 mm