Krajczár: Evolution From Kreuzer to Hungarian Coin

Illustrated Specimen Details: Silver Krajczár

Example Specimen: 6 Krajczár, 1849 (Kingdom of Hungary)

Authority & Identification: This silver coin was issued during the period of the Hungarian Civic Revolution and War of Independence of 1848-1849. The obverse features the abbreviated denomination "6 K." and the Hungarian inscription "MAGYAR KIRÁLYI VÁLTÓPÉNZ", which translates to "Hungarian Royal small (change) coin". The reverse displays the face value "HAT KRAJCZÁR" (six krajczár) and the coat of arms of Hungary. This emblem consists of the crown of St. Stephen positioned above a heraldic shield that includes the stripes of the Arpads, a Hungarian dynasty that ruled during the 9th-14th centuries, alongside the modified coat of arms of Slovakia, which was formerly a part of Hungary. Interestingly, the modern coat of arms of Slovakia is almost identical to this fragment of the Hungarian coat of arms, as it contains the image of a cross on three mountains, two of which (Tatra and Fatra) are now located on the territory of Slovakia, and one (Matra) belongs to Hungary. The coin was designed by Johann Gerger. It bears the mint mark "N.B.", indicating the Imperial Mint of Baia Mare (known by its Hungarian name "Nagybánya"), located in modern Romania, where a history museum now stands.

1. HUNGARY (18th-19th centuries) — KINGDOM OF HUNGARY + HUNGARIAN CIVIC REVOLUTION AND WAR OF INDEPENDENCE OF 1848-1849: krajczár = 1/100 forint (previously — 1/60 forint, even earlier — 3 denár = 6 obulus)
2. HUNGARIAN STATES — Principality of Transylvania (17th-18th centuries): krajczár = 1/72 tallér

KRAJCZÁR (less often, obsolete — krajcár) as a coin name. Ever since the Early Middle Ages in Europe, the image of the cross has become almost the most popular plot of coins. Most often, the cross was depicted on coins that became descendants of the Roman denarius — denar, denier, denaro... However, already in the 13th century in South Tyrol, a separate type of coins appeared with a special image — a double cross (the imposition of ordinary and St. Andrew's crosses). These first Austrian coins of the new type received the name kreuzer or kreutzer (German "Kreuz" — cross). Soon the same coins began to be issued in the lands of modern Germany, Switzerland, and France. The Hungarians began to mint the same coin in the 17th century, but the denomination on these coins was already indicated in the national format — krajczár. That is, krajczár is the Hungarian (written in Hungarian) kreuzer or kreutzer. It is interesting that online translators translate the term "krajczár" from Hungarian as "gate lock".

History and Evolution of the Krajczár

Origins and Linguistic Roots

The word "krajczár" is derived from the German "Kreuzer", meaning "cross coin", because early kreuzers displayed a cross on their reverse. The denomination emerged as part of the monetary traditions of the Holy Roman Empire and spread throughout Central Europe. Over time, the Hungarian form became fully integrated into the national monetary vocabulary.

Monetary Systems and Economic Role

The krajczár was a historical Hungarian coin denomination used in the Kingdom of Hungary and the Principality of Transylvania during the 17th-19th centuries. The denomination is the Hungarian equivalent of the German kreuzer and played a major role in the monetary systems of Hungary and Transylvania. In the Kingdom of Hungary, including during the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence of 1848-1849, the monetary relationship evolved over time. By the 19th century, 1 krajczár was equal to 1/100 forint. Previously, it equaled 1/60 forint, and even earlier, 1 krajczár was equal to 3 denár or 6 obulus. Thus, the denomination survived numerous monetary reforms while retaining its role as a principal small coin. In the Principality of Transylvania during the 17th-18th centuries, 1 krajczár was equal to 1/72 tallér, and it circulated alongside the denár, garas, tallér, ducat, and other Central European coin types. The krajczár served as an everyday market currency, a tax-payment coin, and urban and rural exchange money for millions of inhabitants of the Hungarian lands.

Physical Characteristics and Numismatic Legacy

Krajczár coins were minted in silver, billon, and copper, depending on the denomination period, monetary reform, and issuing authority. The denomination was issued by the Kingdom of Hungary, the Principality of Transylvania, and numerous Habsburg rulers acting as Kings of Hungary, including Leopold I, Charles VI, Maria Theresa, Joseph II, Francis II, and Ferdinand V of Hungary. Designs commonly feature Hungarian coats of arms, the Madonna and Child, imperial eagles, royal monograms, crowns, and crosses. Today, Hungarian krajczárs form an extensive and popular collecting field. Collectors especially value early silver issues, Transylvanian varieties, rare mintmarks, and the historically important revolutionary coinage of 1848-1849.