Description

To mark the 280th anniversary of his birth and the 235th anniversary of his death, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank issued commemorative coins in honor of the great Hungarian explorer Maurice Benyovszky.

Count Maurice Benyovszky (1746-1786), also known as Móric Benyovszky, was a renowned Hungarian nobleman, adventurer, and writer. Celebrated as a national hero in Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, he is best known for his daring exploits as a traveler and military leader. Born in Verbó, Kingdom of Hungary (now Vrbové, Slovakia), he initially fought for the Polish armies under the Bar Confederation, where he was captured by the Russians and exiled to Kamchatka. After a dramatic escape, he journeyed back to Europe via Macau and Mauritius, eventually landing in France.

In 1773, Benyovszky made a pact with the French government to establish a trading post on Madagascar. However, he faced numerous challenges, including the harsh climate, difficult terrain, and resistance from the native Sakalava people, leading him to abandon the post in 1776. Returning to Europe, he joined the Austrian Army and fought in the War of the Bavarian Succession. Despite a failed venture in Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia), he later traveled to America, securing financial backing for another expedition to Madagascar. His efforts were ultimately thwarted when a French force shut down his operation, resulting in his death in 1786.

Benyovszky's adventurous life and bold endeavors are vividly chronicled in his memoirs. His posthumous account, "Memoirs and Travels of Mauritius Augustus Count de Benyowsky," published in 1790, captivated readers with its dramatic tales. These memoirs were later translated into Hungarian by Jókai Mór, further cementing his legacy as a fascinating and influential figure of the 18th century.

Engraver: Gábor Kereszthury