Gold Florin Reborn

The Hungarian Mint has issued a new collector coin, the gold florin of Matthias I (r. 1458-90). Available in .986-fine gold 1-ducat and 4-ducat versions, as well as a copper-nickel-zinc alloy, the coin continues the Gold Florins of Medieval Hungary series, which began in 2012. 

The 2026 Florin

The obverse mimics the reverse of the King Matthias I gold florin, with St. Ladislas standing with an orb in one hand and a battle axe in the other. The legend at the top reads MAGYARORSZÁG (“Hungary”). Additionally, the denomination (50,000 forints for the gold versions and 5,000 forints for the base-metal version) appears at the bottom. The Budapest mintmark is at left, and the date is at right. 

The reverse recreates the obverse design of the original gold florin, with a seated Madonna holding her child. The inscription reads I. MÁTYÁS ARANYFORINTJA (“gold florin of Matthias I”) along with the dates of his reign (1458-90). MATHIAS REX (“King Matthias”) is at the bottom, as well as a portion of the Hunyadi family’s coat of arms and a raven on a branch with a ring in its beak. The 1-ducat and base-metal coins have a smooth edge, while the 4-ducat example includes the inscription PATRONA HVNGARIE (“patroness of Hungary”) along the edge. 

Hungarian minting achieved European standards under King Matthias I’s rule. The king emphasized maintaining the gold florin’s stability, and due to the coin’s high gold content, the florin became highly respected and desirable. Its popularity extended to neighboring countries, which often imitated the coin’s design on their own currency.

The 2026 1 ducat has a mintage of 2,000 and costs $675, and the 4 ducat has a mintage of 500 and is $2,685. The brilliant-uncirculated base metal version has a mintage of 5,000 and is available for $23.95. The gold florin collector coin can be purchased through the Coin & Currency Institute’s website. 

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