Item number: M320

Year: AD 1645-1690

Material: Gold

Size: 21.6 x 21.6 mm

Weight: 3.57 g

Manufactured by: Kremnica Mint, Slovakia

Provenance: Stack’s Bowers 2024

This is a Saint Protector Medal minted between AD 1645 and AD 1690, circulated in the Hungarian region. It was produced by the Kremnica Mint, located in present-day Slovakia, one of Central Europe’s oldest mints, which began operations in AD 1328 and continues to function today.

The obverse of this Saint Protector medal depicts the well-known Christian legend of “Saint George and the Dragon,” a symbol widely circulated in Central and Eastern Europe. The Latin inscription along the upper edge reads, “S.GEORGIVS.EQUITUM.PATRONVS” (Saint George, Patron of Knights).

According to legend, a dragon terrorised a village by occupying its water source, demanding a daily sacrifice of either a sheep or a maiden chosen by lot. When the lot fell upon the princess, Saint George happened upon the scene and, under the protection of the cross, heroically slew the dragon on horseback, saving the princess and the village. Since then, Saint George has come to embody the ideals of knightly virtue and courage.

The reverse of this medal powerfully illustrates a scene of resilience and faith, depicting a figure struggling to control a sail amidst fierce winds and towering waves. The Latin inscription along the top edge, “IN TEMPESTATE SECVRITAS” (Safety in the Storm), underscores a sense of divine assurance amidst life’s adversities.

In AD 1526, the Kingdom of Hungary fell under the weight of the Ottoman Empire’s invasion, leading to the division of its territory into three parts: Ottoman-controlled regions, Habsburg-ruled Hungary, and the Principality of Transylvania. Over time, the Austrian Habsburgs became the dominant power in Hungary, but the Hungarian (Magyar) nobility retained a significant degree of autonomy and periodically resisted Habsburg control from Vienna. This tension culminated in AD 1867 when the Habsburgs and the Magyar nobility reached an agreement, establishing the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy. This arrangement allowed Hungary a degree of independence while remaining under Habsburg rule, and it lasted until the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed following its defeat in World War I in AD 1918.

物件編號: M320

年代: 公元 1645-1690 年

材質: 黃金

尺寸: 21.6 x 21.6 mm

重量: 3.57 g

製造地: 斯洛伐克，克雷姆尼察造幣廠

來源: SBP錢幣拍賣 2024

這是一枚公元1645至1690年之間，於匈牙利地區流通的守護聖人獎章。這枚獎章由地處斯洛伐克的克雷姆尼察鑄幣廠鑄造，克雷姆尼察造幣廠為中歐歷史最為悠久的鑄幣廠，於公元1328年投入營運至今。

獎章正面為流通於中東歐的基督教故事「聖喬治屠龍」意象，上緣以拉丁文鐫刻「S.GEORGIVS.EQUITUM.PATRONVS」(聖喬治 騎士的守護神)。傳說中有一條惡龍盤踞在居民賴以為生的水源，居民每天被迫用一隻羊或抽籤決定一名處女作為獻祭。有一天公主輪到成為祭品的噩運，恰巧旅行至此地的聖喬治在十字架保護下，成功騎馬擊殺惡龍救出公主。自此聖喬治就成為騎士精神的象徵。

獎章背面是在大風和巨浪之間努力控制船帆的意象，搭配上緣的拉丁銘文「IN TEMPESTATE SECVRITAS」(風雨中的安寧)，能強烈體會到這枚獎章的濃厚宗教色彩。

公元1526年，匈牙利王國隨著鄂圖曼帝國的入侵滅亡，領土分裂為三個部分(鄂圖曼土耳其、哈布斯堡王朝和外西凡尼亞公國)。隨著時間演進，奧地利的哈布斯堡王朝成為匈牙利的主宰者，但是本土的馬扎爾貴族仍維持高度自治並且不時反抗維也納當局。因此在公元1867年，哈布斯堡家族和匈牙利的馬扎爾貴族通過協議，共同組成奧匈二元君主國。直到公元1918年第一次世界大戰戰敗覆滅為止。