Ébredő nemzetek, születő valuták

Emerging nations, new currencies

A selection of coins from Andrássy’s Europe

In memory of the builder of the castle, Gyula Andrássy, sr., we can recall the peak of his diplomatic career: the organisation of the Congress of Berlin in 1878, which granted independence to the majority of the Balkans and benefited the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. No Hungarian politician had such a role in the restructuring of South-East Europe - even if only for a short time - since the Hunyadi dynasty.

The mighty Ottoman Empire had lost its power by the 19th century, when internal tensions, corruption and wars undermined the rule of the Sultan. Both European superpowers and the people of the Balkans, who wanted to break free from Istanbul attempted to gradually exploit this new situation. However, they also required the active involvement of superpowers to achieve full independence.

The Russian Empire attempted to gain patronage of all Orthodox people, and thereby conquer the eastern half of the Balkan Peninsula. The Army of the Tsardom of Russia overran and defeated the Turks in 1877. In the Treaty of San Stefano at the conclusion of the war Russia granted itself and the Bulgarians advantages that were unacceptable to European countries.

The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy regarded the extension of its power to the Western Balkans as a priority, especially in terms of economy. Gyula Andrássy, sr., the second joint Minister of Foreign Affairs played a major role in the organisation of the great forum. The Treaty adopted on 13 July 1878 at the Congress of Berlin reorganised the states in the Balkan Peninsula.

Montenegro, Serbia and Romania were granted full independence. Greece that regained its freedom in 1822 has been reinforced. Bulgaria remained functioning as a Turkish vassal, however, full independence was within reach. The Congress of Berlin allowed the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the borders were drawn strategically rather than ethnically by the decision-making powers, the Treaty remained a forced and temporary compromise.

In our vault, we are proud to present a selection of circulation coins issued for the first time by the Balkan states that gained independence in the 19th century and gold coins of the superpowers that controlled their fate.