Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary 8 Forint 1890-1892

History

8 Forint 1890-1892, KM# 477, Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungary

Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com

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	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Franz Joseph I 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". Engraver: Josef Tautenhayn FERENCZ JÓZSEF I·K·A·CS·ÉS M·H·S·D·O·AP·KIR· K·B·
Reverse	Coat of arms Hungary Crown, jewelry Holy Crown of Hungary Symbol, amulet, talisman Double-headed eagle Depicts a Baroque-style Hungarian medium coat of arms, enhanced with the coat of arms of Fiume, and topped with the Holy Crown. To the left of the coat of arms is the value in Francs, and to the right is the value in Forints. The coat of arms is encircled by a regular circular motif, interrupted by the Holy Crown. The coin's legend includes the inscription "Hungarian Kingdom" and the issue year, separated by six-pointed star motifs. The Hungarian medium coat of arms features five main fields. At the center is the small coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hungary, with one half displaying seven vertical red and white stripes and the other half showing a red field with a golden crown atop a triple green hill, topped with a double cross. Surrounding it are the coats of arms of neighboring regions: Croatia at the top left, Dalmatia to its right, Slavonia at the bottom left, and Transylvania to its right. From 1890, the medium coat of arms underwent a minor change, with a new field being added in place of the previous five main fields, featuring the coat of arms of Fiume. The new coat of arms, depicting a two-headed eagle holding a jug in its claws, was placed in the lower center in a triangular arrangement. 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: Carl Gerl MAGYAR KIRÁLYSÁG 20 8 Fr· Frt· 1891
Edge	Reeded (milled)