Catalog
| Obverse description | Madonna seated with child in right arms on a crescent, decoration on both sides, Bohemian lion below; on the left flowers in vase |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering |
WLADISLAI : D - G : R : VNGARIE (Translation: Ulászló, by the grace of God, King of Hungary) |
| Reverse description | Standing Saint King facing forward divides mintmark |
| Reverse script | |
| Reverse lettering |
S : LADISLA - VS : REX : (Translation: Saint László King) |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (1490-1494) /K-C - diagonally split shield K-C - ND (1494) K-MAF - M above AF - ND (1495) K-MAFB - M-AF-B vertically arranged - ND (1497) K- S E - E under S - |
| Numisquare ID | 1006438820 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This gold florin was issued during the early reign of Vladislaus II Jagiellon as King of Hungary (1490-1516), following the death of Matthias Corvinus. His accession marked a period of significant political transition and the gradual weakening of royal authority in favor of the Hungarian magnates. Despite these internal challenges, the florin maintained its critical role as Hungary's premier gold coinage, essential for international trade and a symbol of the crown's enduring, albeit diminished, prestige. This issue represents the continuation of a vital monetary standard.
Artistry: While specific engravers for medieval Hungarian coinage are typically unrecorded, the design reflects the prevailing Late Gothic style, with conservative elements still prominent. The obverse traditionally features Saint Ladislaus standing, holding his battle-axe and an orb, a long-established iconographic type for Hungarian gold. The reverse displays the Árpád stripes and double cross of the Hungarian shield, often surmounted by a crown, with mintmarks or privy marks integrated into the field. The execution, though often robust, can show varying degrees of refinement.
Technical/Grading: This florin, weighing 3.54 grams, adheres to the established gold standard of the era. Key high-points for assessing strike quality include the saint's head, the details of his axe and orb, and the crown atop the shield. Typical examples often exhibit some degree of planchet irregularity, minor off-centering, or areas of weakness, particularly in peripheral legends or finer details of the saint's vestments, due to the manual striking process. Well-struck specimens with full detail and minimal planchet flaws are particularly prized by collectors.