Obverse. Photo © Katz Auction
  • 20 Kreuzers 1868-1869, KM# 446, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary, Franz Joseph I
  • 20 Kreuzers 1868-1869, KM# 446, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary, Franz Joseph I
Description

Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I (1830–1916) was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, and ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1848 until his death in 1916. Initially governing the Austrian Empire, he later established the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867. During his reign, he resisted constitutionalism and faced significant territorial losses in the Second and Third Italian Wars of Independence and the Austro-Prussian War. Notably, he agreed to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, granting greater autonomy to Hungary.

Franz Joseph's reign was marked by personal and political challenges, including the execution of his brother Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico, the suicide of his son Rudolf, and the assassinations of his wife Elisabeth and his nephew Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The latter's assassination in 1914 precipitated World War I. His annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908 and subsequent conflicts in the Balkans further strained international relations. Franz Joseph ruled for nearly 68 years, succeeded by his grandnephew Charles I & IV.

The VII Law 1868 mandated the minting of Kreuzer (Krajcár) coins in Hungary. Starting in 1868, one-, four-, ten-, and twenty-Kreuzers coins and one-Forint and Ducats (gold coins) were minted featuring the small coat of arms. Four-Kreuzers coins were issued in 1868. The XII Law of 1869 amended the VII law, ordering the minting of four- and eight-Forint gold coins and requiring the medium coat of arms instead of the small one. Initially, coins were minted in Kremnica (Körmöcbánya, mint mark: KB) and Alba Iulia (Gyulafehérvár, mint mark: GyF), with the latter closing in 1871. From then until 1918, all coins were minted at the Kremnica mint.

Obverse

Depicts a right-facing portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph. The ruler is wearing a laurel wreath on his head. Below the portrait, the mint mark is visible. The inscription around the edge reads "Franz Joseph the emperor apostolic king of Hungary".

Engraver: Josef Tautenhayn

FERENCZ JOZSEF A•CSASZAR MAGYAR ORSZAG AP•KIRALYA
GY•F•

Reverse

Depicts the Hungarian Holy Crown. Below the depiction is the denomination, followed by "Kreuzers" and the issuance year "1869." Beneath the year, there is a decorative motif consisting of olive branches. The upper inscription around the coin reads "Hungarian Royal" and "Exchange Coin" on either side of the Holy Crown. The coin's edge is decorated with a beaded border.

The Holy Crown of Hungary, also known as the Crown of Saint Stephen, served as the coronation crown for the Kingdom of Hungary from the 12th century onward. A king was not considered truly legitimate without being crowned with it. Over fifty Hungarian kings were crowned with the Holy Crown, the last being Charles IV in 1916. The cross atop the crown is attached roughly, protruding from the central enamel plaque of Christ. It was knocked crooked in the 17th century, likely due to improper storage in its chest. The cross remains in this slanted position and is always depicted as such.

Engraver: Johann Pfeiffer

MAGYAR KIRÁLYI VÁLTÓ PÉNZ
20
KRAJCZÁR
1869

Edge

20 Kreuzers

KM# 446 Unger# 1471 Huszar# 2152 Adamo# M11.1
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.500
Weight 2.66 g
Diameter 21 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Alt # KM# 446.1, KM# 446.2
Mints
Alba Iulia Mint (GY.F)
Kremnica Mint (K.B)

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