Description

Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I (1830-1916) was Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia. He concluded the the The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which granted greater autonomy to Hungary, hence transforming the Austrian Empire into the Austro-Hungarian Empire under his dual monarchy.

The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 established the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. Under the Compromise, the lands of the House of Habsburg were reorganized as a real union between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary, headed by a single monarch who reigned as Emperor of Austria in the Austrian half of the empire, and as King of Hungary in Kingdom of Hungary.

Obverse

Depicts a laureate bust of Franz Joseph I right, surrounded by the inscription "Ferencz József Isten kegyelméből ausztriai császár és Magyar-, Horvát-, Szlavon-, Dalmátországok apostoli királya" (Franz Joseph by the Grace of God Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary, Croatia, Slavonia, Dalmatia). Date below.

Engravers: Rudolf Marschall and Rudolf Neuberger

FERENCZ JÓZSEF I•K•A•CS•ÉS M•H•S•D•O•AP•KIR•
1907

Reverse

Depicts the coronation scene at Buda, showing the kneeled Emperor, being coronated by the Archbishop inside a church. An inscription is around, value and mintmark 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.

Engraver: Stefan Schwartz

MECKORONÁZTATÁSÁNAK NEGYVENEDIK EVFORDULOJÁRA 1867-1907
5 KORONA
K•B

Edge

Depicts the personal motto of the Emperor as Apostolic King of Hungary: "My faith is in ancient virtue."

BIZALMAM AZ OSI ERÈNYBEN

Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 24 g
Diameter 36 mm
Thickness 2.6 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mints
Budapest Mint (BP)
Kremnica Mint (B)