Obverse. Photo © Magyar Nemzeti Bank
  • 750 Forint 2021, Adamo# EM425, Hungary, 750th Anniversary of Győr Becoming a Royal Town
  • 750 Forint 2021, Adamo# EM425, Hungary, 750th Anniversary of Győr Becoming a Royal Town
Description

Győr, one of Hungary's oldest cities, has a rich history and serves as an economic, intellectual, cultural, religious, and sports hub in Western Hungary, as well as the seat of Győr-Moson-Sopron county. King Saint Stephen made it a secular and ecclesiastical center by establishing a county and bishopric here. Known as the city of rivers, Győr owed its significance to its strategic location. In 1271, King Stephen V elevated Győr to a royal city, granting it rights such as electing judges, exemption from customs duties, holding markets, and the right to halt goods. During the Turkish era, it was a significant military stronghold. In the 17th and 18th centuries, its transformation into a fortress made it one of Hungary's most beautiful baroque cities. By the late 19th century, Győr became an industrial center, retaining its significant role to this day.

Engraver: Ferenc Lebó

Obverse

Depicts a jubilee logo referring to the 750th anniversary of the city of Győr, enclosed within a border of pearls. Along the edge, in a circular inscription, reads "750 YEARS AGO, KING STEPHEN V GRANTED ROYAL CITY RIGHTS TO GYŐR," bordered by dots. Below the inscription, in the middle, is the engraver's initials.

V. ISTVÁN 750 ÉVE ADOMÁNYOZOTT KIRÁLYI VÁROSI JOGOKAT GYŐRNEK
GYŐR
750
LF

Reverse

Depicts a logo referring to the historical past of the city of Győr, enclosed within a border of pearls. In the center field surrounded by pearl borders, the logo recalls one of the city's symbols, the brass rooster, along with its legend. Below the depiction of the logo reads "GYŐR." Along the edge, in a circular inscription, "HUNGARY" is at the top, while the denomination and "FORINT" are at the bottom. Horizontally centered, on the left side is the mintmark "BP.," and on the right side is the issue year "2021."

The symbol of Győr, the brass rooster, was placed as a wind vane on Dunakapu Square by the Turks when they occupied the city in 1594. The leader of the occupying forces believed that the castle was impregnable and proudly predicted: "Győr will be in Christian hands again when the brass rooster starts to crow, and the crescent moon beneath it turns into a full moon."

Four years later, in 1598, when the Habsburg and Hungarian army, led by Adolf von Schwarzenberg and Pálffy Miklós, marched to retake the castle, they reached the Fehérvári Gate. A brave hussar climbed up to the brass rooster and waited there under cover of night until sunrise. In the dawn's early light, he imitated the crowing of a rooster with his trumpet, and since the rising sun made the crescent moon shine like a full moon, the Turks believed that the prophecy had been fulfilled, and their god had sided with the Christians. In the great panic that ensued, they detonated the gunpowder barrels, sealing the fate of the battle.

MAGYARORSZÁG
BP.
2012
GYŐR
750 FORINT

Edge

750 Forint

750th Anniversary of Győr Becoming a Royal Town

Adamo# EM425
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Nickel Silver
Weight 9.4 g
Diameter 29.5 mm
Thickness 2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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