Rare Hungarian Silver Denar 'Mother and Child' coin - Ferdinand 1st (1503-1564)
Ferdinand 1st, born in Spain in 1503, became, in 1558, the (de jure) successor as Holy Roman Emperor following the retirement of his brother, Charles V, who was Emperor at the time. Ferdinand was already Archduke of Austria (1521-1564), having been entrusted to govern these lands on behalf of Charles. These lands were mainly the Austrian Hereditary Lands, (roughly Austria and Slovenia). On his retirement, Charles gave his son, Philip, the Spanish Empire, Naples, Sicily, Milan and the Netherlands.
Ferdinand, in 1515, at the age of twelve, married Anne Jagiellonica, daughter of Vladislaus, King of both Bohemia and Hungary. His brother-in-law, Louis II soon became king of those countries, but, after his death in 1526, at the Battle of Mohacs, Ferdinand felt that he was now legally King of both Bohemia and Hungary. Although Bohemia accepted his rule, that of Hungary was contested by John Zapolya, King of Transylvania. 
Zapolya and Ferdinand eventually clashed but Zapolya was defeated, in 1527, at the Battle of Tarcal, and, yet again, at the battle of Szina.
Still unsatisfied, Zapolya fled to the Ottoman Empire, requesting help from the Sultan, Sulieman the Magnificent, in return, pledging Hungary as a vassel state of the Empire. This led to a massive siege by Sulieman on Vienna in 1529 (which was repelled but led to Ferdinand fleeing to Bohemia) and again, a further Ottoman invasion in 1533. This latest invasion was also repelled but, eventually Ferdinand made peace, which resulted in Hungary being split, the west going to Ferdinand (of the Hapsburgs) and the east being held by Zapolya. In 1540, Ferdinand invaded the eastern section of Hungary, but, with the help of the Sulieman, Ferdinand was forced out of Central Hungary and made to pay tribute for the part of Hungary he did hold. Sulieman now held Transylvania and the Eastern part of Hungary, which became known as the Eastern Hungarian Kingdom' but handed the kingdom over to John Sigismund. Ruled by John's mother, Isabella and with Martinuzzi behind the power, Martinuzzi became worried about the threats by the Ottoman Empire and eventually returned the lands to Ferdinand. But the war continued.
The Silver Denar depicting the 'Madonna and Child' was the most revered coin at that time. It was struck during the wars against the Muslims and commemorated the Birth of the Child. These coins were issued to display 'Piety, Faith and Defiance' against the Ottoman Empire.
The coin shown is a hammered silver coin, measuring approximately 15mm in diameter. In good condition, with clear inscriptions, this is a rare coin. Hammered coins were produced by placing a thin sheet of metal, either gold, silver or copper, between two dies, and striking the top die as to create an image on each side. Because of this method, it was difficult to produce coins of a regular diameter.
Please note - I am NOT a numismatist, but, from my research, I believe this coin is dated and identified correctly. My apologies, if I am wrong.
price R200.00
Post R25.00
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