Hungary 1870-GYF 4 forint
This specimen was lot 1947 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €400 (about US$557 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"HONGRIE, François Joseph Ier (1848-1916), AV 4 forint/ 10 francs, 1870 GYF, Karlsburg. Rare. Fines griffes. presque Très Beau. (kingdom of Hungary, Francis Joseph I, 1848-1916, gold four forint/ten francs of 1870, Karlsburg mint. Rare, hairlines, about Very Fine.)"
This type was issued for Hungary 1870-79 from the Kremnitz (Komoczbanya in Magyar) and Karlsburg mints during the reign of Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria-Hungary. The denomination was struck 1870-92 to match the standard of the French ten francs d'or. Most dates are common. After the reorganization of the Hapsburg empire into the Dual Monarchy in 1867, Hungary received her own coinage separate from Austrian issues.
Recorded mintage: 48,672.
Specification: 3.22 g, 0.900 fine gold, 19 mm diameter, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM 454.1, Jaeckel 363; Huszar 2120; Fr-2454.
- Herinek, Gerhard, Austria Münzkatalog: Munzen ab 1745 und Banknoten ab 1759, 49. Auflage, Vienna: Christine Steyrer Verlag, 2022.
- Veselý, Roman, Mince a medaile, 19. století, František II ab Karel I, Prague: Aurea Numismatika, 2020.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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