250th anniversary of the proclamation of Maurice Benyovszky as the king of Madagascar
€20 silver collector coin
Maurice Benyovszky (1746–1786), a Hungarian nobleman of Slovak origin, traveller, explorer and soldier, played a role in the history of several countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. His life combined courage, a restless spirit, and the vision of a man who believed in progress and human dignity. He was born on 20 September 1746 in Vrbové in present-day Slovakia. He studied at the lyceum school in Svätý Jur, where he was recorded as a member of the Slovak nobility. At the age of 27 he arrived in Madagascar, where, in the service of the French king, he founded the trading post of Louisbourg at Antongil Bay. According to his memoirs, he mapped the land, built roads, united local tribes, supported trade, and improved the living conditions of the population. In October 1776, by his own account, an assembly of tribal kings elected him their leader—the great king (‘Ampansacabé’). Louis XVI awarded him the rank of general, and Maria Theresa granted him the title of count. He left a literary legacy in his work Memoirs and Travels of Mauritius Augustus Count de Benyowsky, published in London in 1790, which became known worldwide.
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Coin description
Obverse:
The obverse depicts a period sailing ship on stormy waves. To the left is the Slovak coat of arms. At the bottom of the field are the name of the issuing country ‘SLOVENSKO’ and the year of issuance ‘2026’, one above the other. To the right of the sailing ship is a stylised linden branchlet from the logo of Národná banka Slovenska, which changes into the letters ‘NBS’ when the coin is tilted. To the left of the country name are the stylised initials ‘MR’ of the obverse designer, Miroslav Ronai, and to the right is the mint mark of the Kremnica Mint.Reverse:
The reverse features a portrait of Maurice Benyovszky. To the left of it is a portion of a globe with an enlarged image of Madagascar and a stylised representation of a zebu, an animal closely associated with the island. To the left of Madagascar are the stylised initials ‘BR’ of the reverse designer, Branislav Ronai. To the right of the portrait are the coin’s denomination ‘20’ and currency ‘EURO’, one above the other. A compass is depicted at the lower right edge. Beneath the portrait is an emblem composed of a stylised traveller’s palm (Ravenala madagascariensis) and a crescent moon with two stars. The name ‘MÓRIC’ runs along the upper left edge; ‘BEŇOVSKÝ’ along the upper right edge, and ‘KRÁĽ MADAGASKARU’ (king of Madagascar) along the lower edge, below the year ‘1776’.
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Coin details
Designers: obverse: Miroslav Ronai
reverse: Branislav RonaiComposition: .925 silver, .75 copper Weight: 33,63 g Diameter: 40 mm Edge: • ŠĽACHTIC CESTOVATEĽ DOBRODRUH
(nobleman, traveller, adventurer)Producer: Kremnica Mint Engraver: Dalibor Schmidt Issuing volume: 3,000 coins in brilliant uncirculated quality
7,050 coins in proof qualityIssuing date: 10 September 2026