2007 Hungary 5000Ft Silver Proof "Batthyany"

• Mint: Hungarian Mint
• Denomination: 5,000 Forint
• Quality: Proof
• Issue limit: 20,000 pcs.
• Alloy: 92.5% Sterling Silver
• Diameter: 38.61 mm
• Weight: 31.46 grams
• Artist: Márta Csikai
• Box/Capsule: No/Yes
• Certificate: Yes

Count Lajos Batthyany de Nemetujvar (1806-1849) was appointed by Ferdinand I to be the first prime minister of the new parliamentary government of Hungary on April 7, 1848. Stuck in the middle of a clash between Hungarian separatists and the Austrian monarchy, Batthyany chose the side of the rebels and became one of the leaders of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49. Wounded and captured in battle, he was convicted of high treason (i.e. being disloyal to the Emperor of Austria) and sentenced to execution by firing squad.

Lajos Batthyany is buried in Kerepesi cemetery in Budapest, Hungary, and the square in front of the Hungarian Parliament building is named in his honor. He was also one of three Hungarian patriots whom Franz Liszt honored in his great piano work "Funerailles", which is subtitled "October 1849".

This issue is the Hungarian contribution to the Pan-European program for 2007, celebrating European achievements, and featuring the eurostar mint mark.