| ISSUES
OF THE REGENCY
Nos.
403-408
TYPE: A 25
ISSUED: April 1, 1926
PROCESS: Lithographed
PAPER: Watermarked four double crosses
PERF: 14, 15
DESIGNER: F. Helbing
PURPOSE: Entire new series of postage stamps because of
change in monetary rates to filler and pengo
DESIGN: Crown of St. Stephen.
HISTORY: This is the first time the crown has been shown
alone. This crown has a very long history. It is known
as the Holy Crown of St. Stephen and consists of two crowns,
the upper part presented by Pope Sylvester II to St. Stephen
the first King of Hungary, in about 1000, in recognition
of his efforts to bring to Christianity the various tribes
making up the Hungarians; the lower part was received
by King Geza I, from Michael Dukas, Emperor of Byzantium,
in recognition of the cultural efforts of the Hungarians.
Both crowns were later welded into one.
Perhaps you have wondered why the little cross on the
top slopes to the left. There are many stories about this
- one tells us that it was knocked sidewise in a battle;
another one tells that it was a sign of servitude imposed
by Charles VI as the result of an Hungarian insurrection;
another one tells that Maria Theresa had the cross put
in its original position, but that it began to slope again
after the Revolution of 1849. If we are to believe another
writer the bolt and nut which hold the cross in its place
have been worn away in the course of the centuries and
the authorities do not wish to renew the fastening. It
is unlikely that Charles VI would attach the cross in
such a position, since he and his successors were to wear
the crown. It is also unlikely that Maria Theresa had
the cross straightened, because she is seen wearing the
crown with the cross sloping.
When Kossuth fled before the imperial armies in 1849 he
buried the coronation insignia and the crown on a hill
near Orsova.
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