33. Gabriel Bethlen Medal, issued on the occasion of his coronation as King of Hungary, 1620

Gabriel Bethlen was the prince of Transylvania between 1613-1629 and was crowned as Hungarian King in 1620, with the support of the Habsburg Empire, in a complex political context of the time. During that period, Transylvania was a semi-independent principality, and Gabriel Bethlen wanted to consolidate his authority in front of the Habsburg Empire and other great powers from Central and Eastern Europe. His crowning took place in the context of a period of religious and civil war, particularly during the Thirty Years' War, and was an attempt to strengthen Protestant authority in front of a mainly Catholic Europe. Medals from this period had special symbolic significance, being used as political propaganda tools. The medal issued on Gabriel Bethlen's coronation reflects his desire to assert himself as the legitimate leader of Hungary, highlighting the legitness of his reign and the political alliances that supported him. This type of medal is very rare, and those that have survived are considered numismatic treasures. Their value has increased over time due to the historical significance and the rarity of the piece. This makes it a valuable investment for collectors of artifacts from the medieval and early modern period.

Dimensions

custom 40 x 33 mm

Description

gilded bronze

PROVENANCE

The coin is on temporary import since May 13, 2025, according to Art. 25.6 of the Bidding Regulation. It comes from an auction house in Sweden.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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