Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2 Fillér 1916-1918, KM# 497, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary, Charles I & IV
  • 2 Fillér 1916-1918, KM# 497, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary, Charles I & IV
Description

Charles I (Karl Franz Josef Ludwig Hubert Georg Otto Maria, 1887–1922) was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and King of Croatia (as Charles IV), King of Bohemia (as Charles III), and the last of the monarchs belonging to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine to rule over Austria-Hungary, reigning from 1916 until the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. He ascended to the throne following the death of his grand-uncle, Emperor Franz Joseph I, during the tumultuous period of World War I. Charles sought to end the war through separate peace negotiations and implemented social and political reforms, including greater autonomy for ethnic groups within the empire. Despite his efforts, the empire dissolved, and he was dethroned in 1918 without formally abdicating. After two failed attempts to regain the Hungarian throne in 1921, he was exiled to Madeira, where he died of pneumonia on April 1, 1922. Charles IV was beatified by the Roman Catholic Church in 2004, recognizing his devout faith and peace efforts.

Engraver: Richard Adolf Zutt

Obverse

Depicts the Holy Crown of Hungary, surrounded by the inscription "Hungarian Royal Exchange Coin," separated at the bottom by a six-pointed star, the issue year below.

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 KIRÁLYI VÁLTÓPÉNZ
1917
*

Reverse

Depicts the denomination, with the word "FILLÉR" below it, followed by the mint mark "K·B" further down. The central motif is encircled by a wreath made of oak leaves and branches, which transitions into vertical lines next to the inscription at the value mark.

2
FILLÉR
K·B

Edge

2 Fillér

KM# 497 Schön# 14 Unger# 1503 Adamo# K2.1
Characteristics
Material Iron
Weight 2.77 g
Diameter 17.3 mm
Thickness 1.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Kremnica Mint (K.B)

Related coins

Bronze, 3.28 g, ⌀ 19 mm