500 Forint 2011, Hungary
| in Krause book | Number: 188 |
| Years of issue: | 2011 |
| Edition: | 35 400 000 |
| Signatures: | Dr. Karvalits Ferenc; Simor András; Dr. Király Júlia |
| Serie: | Second Series |
| Specimen of: | 01.12.1998 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 154 x 70 |
| Printer: | Magyar Pénzjegynyomda, Budapest |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Security thread. Francis II Rákóczi.
Avers:
The engraving on the banknote is based on paint by Ádám Mányoki in 1724.
Francis II Rákóczi (II. Rákóczi Ferenc, 27 March 1676 - 8 April 1735) was a Hungarian aristocrat and leader of the Hungarian uprising against the Habsburgs in 1703-11 as the prince (fejedelem) of the Estates Confederated for Liberty of the Kingdom of Hungary. He was also Prince of Transylvania, an Imperial Prince, and a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Today he is considered a national hero in Hungary.
His full title was: Franciscus II. Dei Gratia Sacri Romani Imperii & Transylvaniae princeps Rakoczi. Particum Regni Hungariae Dominus & Siculorum Comes, Regni Hungariae Pro Libertate Confoederatorum Statuum necnon Munkacsiensis & Makoviczensis Dux, Perpetuus Comes de Saros, Dominus in Patak, Tokaj, Regécz, Ecsed, Somlyó, Lednicze, Szerencs, Onod. His name is historically also spelled Rákóczy,
On the left side is Hungarian coat of arms.
The current coat of arms of Hungary was reinstated on July 3, 1990, after the end of communist rule. The arms have been used before, both with and without the Holy Crown of Hungary, sometimes as part of a larger, more complex coat of arms, and its elements date back to the Middle Ages.
The shield is split into two parts:
The dexter (left side from the viewer's point) features the so-called Árpád stripes, four Argent (silver) and four Gules (red) stripes. Traditionally, the silver stripes represent four rivers: Duna (Danube), Tisza, Dráva, and Száva.
The sinister (right side from the viewer's point) consists of an Argent (silver) double cross on Gules (red) base, situated inside a small Or (golden) crown, the crown is placed on the middle heap of three Vert (green) hills, representing the mountain ranges (trimount) Tátra, Mátra, and Fátra.
There are many myth ans legends about curved cross on the top of St.Stefan crown. But here is one of them, mostly known.
"What could have caused this damage, and when? In studying the history of the Holy Crown, were found the following: When King Albert died in 1439, his wife was already pregnant with the boy who would become László V. To secure the Crown for her son, she instructed her lady-in-waiting, the wife of Kottaner János, to steal it from Visegrád, where it was kept. She arranged the theft, packed the Crown in a large red velvet pillow, and covered it with cowhide. Then they took the Crown to Komárom, and from there to Székesfehérvár, where they crowned the 3-month old infant with it. The Queen, however, still would not relinquish the Crown, and instructed the same lady-in-waiting to take it to Győr. As Kottaner Jánosné wrote in her journal:
“I took the Holy Crown, and wrapped it very well in a shawl, and placed it in the cradle, among straw, because his highness did not sleep on feathers yet, and I also put a large spoon next to him, with which one usually amuses children. I did this so that, should anyone reach into the cradle, he should think there was something there with which one amuses the noble king. At that time, no one knew of this, except my gracious lady and myself.”
The cradle was placed on a cart, and the little king was placed in it. On the way, the infant was often taken out and placed back in. An infant’s weight corresponds perfectly with the pressure estimated by Gyergyai. In addition, the first repairs made to the Holy Crown correspond to the methods used around 1440." (Magyar news)
Top left is a logo of Hungarian National Bank.
Denominations in numerals are top and bottom right. In center in words.
Revers:
Rakoczy castle in Sarospatak.
Castle - fortress Rakoczi is located in a picturesque natural environment on the banks of the Bodrog River. The fortress was erected in the 1530s. The walls were completed in 1541.
In 1534, Peter Perenyi, one of the most distinguished nobles of the region, began to build the castle.
After Perenyi's death, the construction was continued by his son Gabor. Gabor died in 1567, leaving no heirs behind. In 1616 the castle became the property of Gyordya Rakoczi, who later became the prince of Transylvania.
For about a hundred years the fortress served as a residence for the Rákóczi family. It was a period of prosperity in the life of the city and the fortress. When in 1630 György Rákóczi was elected ruler of Transylvania, he, in accordance with his rank, continued to develop, decorate and strengthen the fortress.
According to legend, secret passages were laid from the fortress to many neighboring fortresses. Under the city and the fortress, in fact, they discovered a powerful system of cellars, in which famous local wines mature today.
Today, the castle houses the Rákóczi Museum.
Sárospatak (Potok am Bodroch, Šarišský Potok, Blatný Potok) (English: Muddy Stream or Muddy Brook on the Bodrog) is a town in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén county, northern Hungary. It lies 70 km. (43 mi.) northeast from Miskolc, in the Bodrog river valley. The town, often called simply Patak, is an important cultural center.
Top right are 3 Braille dots for the visually impaired.
Denominations in numerals are top and bottom left. Bottom left also in words.
Comments:
Obverse engraver: Vagyoczki K. Del. Et.SC.
Reverse engravers: Vagyoczki K. Del. Et.SC, Palinkas GY.Sc.
The forint's name comes from the city of Florence, where golden coins were minted from 1252 called fiorino d'oro. In Hungary, florentinus (later forint), also a gold-based currency, was used from 1325 under Charles Robert and several other countries followed its example.
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