Ave!

Hungarian Coat of Arms Badge, c. late 19th Cent

Copper alloy; 32mm/14.8gm

This 'small coat of arms ' of Hungary was determined by a royal order in February 9, 1874. The heraldic right side of the coat of arms is divided by red and white stripes seven times representing the seven Hungarian tribes that arrived in Transylvania in 896 A.D. and are called the "Arpad-stripes". The four white stripes represent the four main rivers of the historic Hungary: Duna, Tisza, Drava, Szava.

On the heraldic left side, three green hills are present which symbolise the three main mountains of the historic Hungary: Tatra, Fatra, Matra. On the middle hilltop, from an open golden crown, the "apostolic" double-cross emerges which was awarded by Pope II Sylvester to Saint Stephen I, the first Hungarian king, in 1000 A.D., in recognition of his mission to turn the pagan Hungarians to christianity. The double-cross became the sign of Saint Stephen I.