The first ruler of Hungary.

So here we have the Hungarian forint, nominal – 50. The year of issue of this coin is 1972, mint: Budapest, Hungary. Total circulation – 24.000. The coin is dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the birth of Saint Stephen I.

Saint Stephen I, was born in c. 970 - 975, Esztergom, Hungary - died August 15, 1038, Esztergom. First king of Hungary, who is considered to be the founder of the Hungarian state and one of the most-renowned figures in Hungarian history.

On Christmas Day, 1000 CE, Stephen was anointed king of Hungary. According to tradition, he received from Pope Sylvester II a crown that is now held as a national treasure in Hungary. His coronation signified Hungary’s entry into the family of European Christian nations. With the exception of an invasion by the Holy Roman emperor Conrad II in 1030 and minor disputes with Poland and Bulgaria, Stephen’s reign was peaceful.

Stephen organized his kingdom on German models. He founded bishoprics and abbeys, made the building of churches mandatory, and established the practice of tithing. He promoted agriculture, safeguarded private property with strict laws, and organized a standing army.

While a ruling class was created, the institution of slavery was left virtually untouched. Stephen also opened the country to strong foreign influences, while saving it from German conquest. He treated the church as the principal pillar of his authority, dispatching missionaries throughout his realm.