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.

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 "K•B•" (Kremnica) is visible. The inscription around the edge reads "Franz Joseph I by the grace of God Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia".

FERENCZ JÓZSEF I•K•A•CS•ÉS M•H•S•D•O•AP•KIR•
K•B•

Reverse

Depicts the years "1782" and "1878" separated by two horizontal decorations. These dates refer to the commencement and opening of Joseph II's mine. Surrounded by the inscription "The Mine Named Joseph II in Selmecbánya," separated at the top by a motif of a six-pointed star.

Joseph II's mine redirected the mining waters of the Selmec region into the Garam River, showcasing one of the era's most remarkable technical achievements. Upon its completion, it was the longest adit globally and a significant accomplishment for both Hungarian and Monarchical mining. Stretching from the Garam Valley to the Franz Joseph Shaft, the adit measures 16,538 meters in length and reaches a depth of 76 meters. Constructed over 97 years between 1782 and 1879, the adit was planned in 1780 to surpass the existing ten adits in depth, thus draining a vast area of mining water. Work commenced in 1782 from the Garam River, with the main passage breakthrough on October 5, 1878, and the final handover on October 21, 1879. The construction heavily relied on the surveys conducted by engineers Gyula Gretzmacher and József Tirscher.

II•JÓZSEF NEVŰ ALTÁRNA SELMECBÁNYÁN *
1782
1878

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 12.3457 g
Diameter 29 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Kremnica Mint (K.B)