Obol - Béla III

Béla III's reign marked a turning point in Hungarian royal administration — he had spent years at the Byzantine court in Constantinople before his accession, absorbing imperial bureaucratic practices that he then systematically imposed on Hungary. Among his documented reforms was the requirement that royal grants and correspondence be recorded in writing, a novelty for the kingdom. His coinage reflects the broader economic reorganization of his reign, during which royal revenue structures were substantially tightened.

At 0.11 g, these obols were struck at the absolute lower threshold of practical silver coinage.