The House of Hunyadi

Matthias Corvinus I

Gold Coin

匈雅提王朝

馬蒂亞什一世

金幣

Item number: A1156

Year: AD 1040-1498

Material: Gold

Size: 21.2 x 20.9 x 0.5 mm

Weight: 3.45 g

Provenance: Künker 2024

The obverse side of this coin features a medieval king standing in the center, wearing a crown and a long robe. In his right hand, he holds a battle axe, symbolizing power, and in his left hand, he grasps a globus cruciger representing the national coat of arms. Surrounding the coin is a Latin legend, which reads “S · LADISL – AVS · REX (Sanctus Ladislaus rex, King Saint Laszlo)” in a clockwise circle from the top right, denoting the name of the king. The style of this image is typical of European medieval coin design, particularly common in kingdoms such as Hungary and the Holy Roman Empire, showcasing the authority of monarchs and national symbols of that time.

The reverse side features a coat of arms divided into two parts. The left side displays horizontal stripes, which symbolize the Árpád family of Hungary (now the coat of arms of Hungary), while the right side features a double cross, an important emblem of the Kingdom of Hungary. The entire coat of arms is surrounded by a circular border, and the outer circle also contains a Latin legend, which reads “MATNIAS D.S.R VNSARIS” starting from the center at the top and moving to the right.

“MATNIAS” is likely a variant spelling of “MATTHIAS,” referring to the Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus. “D.S.R” is an abbreviation for “Dei Sacra Regia,” meaning “Sacred King” or “by the grace of God.” “VNSARIS” is probably a variant spelling of “UNGARIS” or “HUNGARIS,” meaning “Hungary.” Based on the design of the coat of arms, this coin likely originates from the Kingdom of Hungary, holding significant historical and cultural value.

It is noteworthy that the names of different rulers appear on the obverse and reverse sides of this coin. The legend on the obverse is for the 11th-century king “Ladislaus” (LADISLAVS), while the inscription on the reverse belongs to the 15th-century Hungarian king Matthias Corvinus (MATNIAS D.S.R VNSARIS).

In medieval numismatics, this situation could be attributed to one of the following reasons:

Recasting: Sometimes later kings would recast new coins based on the coins of their predecessors, which could result in coins featuring the names of different kings. For example, Matthias might have used the coin mold of Ladislaus in certain situations and inscribed his name on the reverse.

Mixed Design: During certain periods, the names of different rulers might simultaneously appear on a single coin to reflect their ruling connections or dynastic succession. This was common in the complex political and succession relations of Europe at that time.

Commemorative or Special Minting: Some coins were minted to commemorate former kings or significant historical events, and thus may bear the names of different kings simultaneously, symbolizing a connection between the past and the present.

In AD 1990, after the end of communist rule, Hungary restored its national coat of arms, which features distinctive national characteristics and Christian symbolism. The coat of arms is shield-shaped, with the left half displaying alternating red and white stripes, while the right side features a double cross symbol associated with bishops. At the top is the crown of Saint Stephen, which has been a symbol of royal authority in Hungary since the year AD 1000.

物件編號: A1156

年代: 公元 1040-1498 年

材質:

尺寸: 21.2 x 20.9 x 0.5 mm

重量: 3.45 g

來源: 昆克 2024

這枚金幣正面展示了一位中世紀國王,國王站立於硬幣正中間,頭戴王冠,身披長袍,右手持象徵權力的戰斧,左手握著象徵國家國徽的十字聖球。硬幣四周環繞刻有拉丁銘文,從右上環繞一圈的文字為「S · LADISL – AVS · REX (Sanctus Ladislaus rex, King Saint Laszlo)」,為國王之名。此圖像風格屬於典型的歐洲中世紀貨幣設計,特別常見於匈牙利、神聖羅馬帝國等王國,表現了當時君主權威與國家象徵。

背面中央的紋章分為兩部分,左側為水平條紋,這是匈牙利阿爾帕德家族(今匈牙利國徽)的象徵,右側為雙十字架,這是匈牙利王國的重要標誌。整個紋章由圓形邊框環繞,外圈同樣有一圈拉丁銘文,從最上面中央 向右數起「MATNIAS D.S.R VNSARIS 」,MATNIAS:應該是「MATTHIAS」的變體拼寫,指匈牙利國王馬蒂亞什·科維努斯。D.S.R:是「Dei Sacra Regia」的縮寫,意為「神聖的國王」或「奉上帝之恩」。VNSARIS:應該是「UNGARIS」或「HUNGARIS」的變體拼寫,意為「匈牙利」(Hungary)。 根據紋章設計,此枚金幣很可能源自匈牙利王國,具有重要的歷史與文化價值。

值得注意的是,該枚金幣的正、背面統治者名字不同。正面的銘文是11世紀的國王「拉斯洛」(Ladislaus)(LADISLAVS),背面的銘文則為15世紀的匈牙利國王馬蒂亞什·科維努斯(Matthias Corvinus)(MATNIAS D.S.R VNSARIS)。

在中世紀錢幣學中,此種情況有幾個可能的原因可以解釋:重新鑄造:有時候後來的國王會在前代國王的金幣基礎上重新鑄造新幣,這可能導致某些金幣上會出現不同國王的名字。例如,可能是馬蒂亞什在某些情況下使用了拉斯洛的金幣模具,並在背面刻上自己的名字。混合設計:在某些時期,不同統治者的名字可能會同時出現在一枚錢幣上,以反映他們的統治聯繫或王朝繼承。這在當時歐洲的複雜政治和繼承關係中並不罕見。紀念幣或特殊鑄幣:某些金幣是為了紀念前任國王或特殊歷史事件而鑄造的,因此可能同時刻有不同國王的名字,象徵過去與現在的連結。

公元1990年,匈牙利結束共產黨統治後,恢復具有民族特色和基督教色彩的國徽。國徽為盾牌形狀,左半部為紅白交錯的平行線,右側為主教標誌的雙十字架。頂部為一頂公元1000年流傳下來,過往象徵匈牙利國王權威的聖史蒂芬王冠。

類似/相同物件 請看:

波蘭 盧布林國家博物館 Poland The Lublin Museum

https://wmuzeach.pl/all-objects/Cf7Cm9RnPgG9E4jadygP_ducat-of-maciej-korwin-

美國 錢幣學會 American Numismatic Society

https://numismatics.org/collection/1905.57.276

更多相關訊息請參考:

周力行,《匈牙利史》,台北:三民書局,2013

溫蓋爾·馬加什 等著、李鴻臣 等譯,《匈牙利史》,哈爾濱:黑龍江人民出版社,1982

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