Poltura: From Silver to Copper Hungarian Coins

Illustrated Specimen Details: Poltura (Kingdom of Hungary)

Example Specimen: Poltura, 1765 (Kingdom of Hungary)

Authority & Heraldry: This beautiful copper poltura was minted during the reign of Maria Theresa, ruler of the Habsburg dominions from 1740-1780. The obverse features a detailed portrait of the Empress, encircled by the abbreviated Latin inscription "M · THERES · D : G · R · I · GE · HU · BO · REG" (Maria Theresa, by the grace of God, Empress of the Romans, Queen of Germany, Hungary, and Bohemia). The reverse prominently displays the Madonna and Child, an enduring religious motif where Saint Mary is celebrated as the Patroness of Hungary. This central image is accompanied by the letters "P. H." (Patrona Hungariae) and the mintmark "K. M.", which confidently designates the Kremnica Mint.

1. KINGDOM OF HUNGARY (17th-18th centuries): 1 poltura = 1.5 krajczár = 1/2 garas.
2. PRINCIPALITY OF TRANSYLVANIA (17th-18th centuries): 1 poltura = 1.5 krajczár = 1/2 garas.
3. KINGDOM OF PRUSSIA (1744): 1 poltura = 1.5 kreuzer.
4. POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH (17th-18th centuries): 1 poltura = 1/2 grosz.

The Poltura as a Coin Name. The poltura is a historic European denomination that initially circulated as a small silver coin, and later as a prominent copper issue, throughout the 17th-18th centuries. The name "poltura" is distinctly borrowed and clearly derives from the Slavic term meaning "1.5" (such as the Polish "półtora"). This etymology perfectly matches its original valuation: the coin was created to equal exactly 1.5 kreuzer (or krajczár, as it was predominantly known in Hungary).

The direct prototype for the Hungarian poltura was the Polish poltorak (a coin equal to 1.5 grosz). Since the concept of "1.5" in the Hungarian language does not sound anything like the word "poltura", the linguistic link directly points to Eastern Slavic roots.

Historical Background and Monetary Evolution

The poltura first emerged in the Principality of Transylvania around the mid-17th century as a localized equivalent to the Polish poltorak. Minted primarily in silver, it quickly gained popularity across Hungarian lands due to its highly convenient purchasing power for everyday market transactions.

The denomination reached its zenith in historical significance during the national liberation movement against the Habsburgs, led by Ferenc II Rákóczi (Prince of Transylvania). Rákóczi's rebel government initially issued silver polturas to fund the independence war. However, as silver reserves dwindled, they shifted to producing famous copper emergency issues. These revolutionary coins proudly bore the Latin inscription "PRO LIBERTATE" (For Liberty). The most widespread denomination of this era was the large 10-poltura coin, affectionately known by the local populace as the "libertás."

The Era of Maria Theresa and Eventual Decline

Following the suppression of Rákóczi's War of Independence, the Habsburgs regained full control of the Hungarian monetary system. By the early 18th century, copper had completely replaced silver as the standard metal for poltura circulation coins.

The most massive emission of these copper polturas occurred under the long reign of Empress Maria Theresa. The standard design heavily favored religious iconography, consistently featuring Saint Mary holding the baby Jesus to reinforce the concept of divine protection over the kingdom. Beyond the Habsburg territories, polturas were also briefly struck by the Prussian King Frederick the Great in 1744 for use in Silesia during his territorial wars with Austria. The long-standing denomination finally met its end when the minting of the poltura was officially abolished in 1775.