Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Pengő 1943, KM# 523, Hungary, Miklós Horthy, 75th Anniversary of Birth of Miklós Horthy
  • 5 Pengő 1943, KM# 523, Hungary, Miklós Horthy, 75th Anniversary of Birth of Miklós Horthy
Description

Miklós Horthy de Nagybánya (1868-1957) was a prominent Hungarian admiral and statesman. Born in Kenderes, Hungary, Horthy rose through the ranks of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, earning acclaim during World War I. After the empire's collapse and the fall of the Hungarian Soviet Republic, he became Regent of Hungary in 1920, effectively acting as the head of state during a period when Hungary was a monarchy without a king.

Horthy sought to stabilize Hungary's economy and political landscape by aligning with right-wing nationalist forces, suppressing communist and socialist movements, and pursuing a revisionist agenda to reverse the territorial losses from the Treaty of Trianon. During World War II, he allied Hungary with Nazi Germany to regain lost territories, but later tried to negotiate peace with the Allies as Germany's position weakened. This led to Germany occupying Hungary in 1944, forcing Horthy to resign.

After the war, Horthy was detained by American forces but was not charged at the Nuremberg Trials. He lived in exile in Portugal until his death in 1957.

Engraver: Lajos Berán

Obverse

Depicts the left-facing portrait of Miklós Horthy in an admiral's uniform, surrounded by the inscription "75th Anniversary of the Birth of Miklós Horthy, Regent of Hungary" above. The engraver's privy mark is below the portrait.

VITÉZ · NAGYBÁNYAI · HORTHY · MIKLÓS · MAGYARORSZÁG · KORMÁNYZÓJA
·BERÁN·L·
SZÜLETÉSÉNEK · 75.ÉVFORDULÓJÁRA

Reverse

Depicts the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hungary topped with the Holy Crown. Surrounding the crown is a circular motif with the inscription "HUNGARIAN KINGDOM" above. The coat of arms is flanked by two angels. The issuing year is displayed above the motif, while the denomination is shown below, with the mint mark "BP." at the bottom.

The Holy Crown of Hungary (also known as the Crown of Saint Stephen) was the coronation crown used by the Kingdom of Hungary for most of its existence; kings have been crowned with it since the twelfth century. No king of Hungary was regarded as having been truly legitimate without being crowned with it. In the history of Hungary, more than fifty kings were crowned with it, up to the last, Charles IV, in 1916. The cross is attached to the crown in a rough manner, rising from the midriff of Christ in the central enamel plaque at the top of the crown. The cross was knocked crooked in the 17th century when the crown was damaged, possibly by the top of the iron chest housing the insignia being hastily closed without the crown having been placed in it properly. The cross has since been left in this slanted position, and is now always depicted as such.

MAGYAR KIRÁLYSÁG
19 43
5 PENGŐ
BP.

Edge

5 Pengő

Regency

75th Anniversary of Birth of Miklós Horthy

KM# 523 Unger# 1510 Huszar# 2261 Adamo# P8.3
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Aluminium
Weight 6.1 g
Diameter 36 mm
Thickness 3.9 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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