Obverse. Photo © Magyar Nemzeti Bank
  • 200 Forint 2024, Hungary, Lajos Batthyány and the 13 Martyrs of Arad
  • 200 Forint 2024, Hungary, Lajos Batthyány and the 13 Martyrs of Arad
  • 200 Forint 2024, Hungary, Lajos Batthyány and the 13 Martyrs of Arad, A serial numbered decorative packaging as first-day mint
Description

The 13 heroic Hungarian generals of the 1848-49 Revolution and War of Independence were executed in Arad on October 6, 1849. On the same day in Pest, Hungary’s first constitutional Prime Minister, count Lajos Batthyány, was also put to death. The executions, scheduled to coincide with the first anniversary of the 1848 Vienna uprising and the assassination of Imperial Minister of War Theodor Baillet von Latour, marked the peak of reprisals following the suppressed struggle for independence. Acting under the orders of Haynau, who held absolute power in Hungary, the military leaders who fought for Hungarian national independence and self-determination were sentenced to death by bullet and rope.

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Count Lajos Batthyány, based on the oil painting by Miklós Barabás. Inside the beaded edge, on the lower left side, the year of issue, "2024," is displayed horizontally, with the inscription "BATTHYÁNY" above it. On the right side, the inscription "HUNGARY" can be read. The inscriptions are separated at the top by the date of Batthyány's execution, marked in two horizontal lines as "† October 6, 1849."

Count Lajos Batthyány de Németújvár (1807–1849) served as Hungary's first Prime Minister. Rising to prominence in Hungarian politics during the period leading up to and amid the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, Batthyány initially pursued a military career before advocating for Hungarian autonomy within the Austrian Empire. Upon his election to the Hungarian Diet in 1847, he emerged as a leading voice for reform. Appointed by Lajos Kossuth as Hungary's inaugural Prime Minister during the revolution, Batthyány spearheaded modernization initiatives, such as abolishing serfdom and establishing a national guard. However, escalating tensions with Austrian authorities led to his resignation in December 1848. Shortly thereafter, he was arrested on charges of treason, swiftly tried, and executed in March 1849, solidifying his legacy as a martyr of the revolution.

Engraver: Zoltán Kovács

BATTHYÁNY
† 1849.
OKTÓBER 6.
MAGYARORSZÁG
2024

Reverse

Depicts the value in the centre with dividing vertical lines to the right.

Engraver: András Szilos

200
FORINT
BP.

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Nickel Brass
Center Cupronickel
Weight 9 g
Diameter 28.3 mm
Thickness 2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

Related coins

Lajos Batthyány and the 13 Martyrs of Arad

Cupronickel, 76.5 g, ⌀ 52.5 mm

Lajos Batthyány and the 13 Martyrs of Arad

Silver, 77.76 g, ⌀ 52.5 mm