Slovak 20 Euro Silver Coin 2026 – Móric Beňovský, King of Madagascar Proof

Slovak silver euro coin minted in proof quality commemorates the globetrotter Móric Beňovský, who became King of Madagascar 250 years ago.

Matúš Móric Michal František Serafín August Beňovský had many names and even more interests. A native of Slovakia, he was a soldier, adventurer, traveller, explorer, coloniser, writer, … He was born in the mid-18th century and became a quintessential example of an Enlightenment gentleman. He began his exciting career in the Austrian army during the Seven Years’ War, but due to his views he was forced to leave for Poland. He joined the fight for independence against the Russians, but was captured and taken to Siberia. There, he managed to hijack a ship and, together with other prisoners, set off on a journey across the Pacific. Via Alaska, Japan and China, he eventually made his way back to Europe, where he entered French service. He made such an impression on Louis XV that he was appointed the king’s representative in Madagascar. On this African island, which is larger than the whole of France, he protected the indigenous people from being taken into slavery, and the tribal chiefs, out of gratitude, bestowed upon him the title of an-pan-saka-bem – King of Kings. When Beňovský returned to France, he was promoted to general. He then offered his services to the rebellious British colonies, which had launched the American War of Independence, but also to Austria, from which he had once fled. In his homeland, he was granted amnesty; Maria Theresa promoted him to count and he set out to fight against Prussia. In America, he fought against the British and was friends with both Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. He tried in vain to secure the funds needed for his onward journey to Madagascar – neither the French, the Americans nor the Austrians would provide them – so he approached the British, who agreed to his request. He thus returned to his beloved island as an enemy of the French and began to build his own empire – Mauritania, which Móric named after himself. The French, however, would not stand for this; they attacked Madagascar and the ‘King of Kings’ fell in battle… Does it all sound unbelievable? Many researchers believe that the Slovak globetrotter embellished his life story. But even if he had experienced only a fraction of what he described in his incredible memoirs, he would still be a legend…

The reverse side of the euro coin, designed by Branislav Ronaie, features a portrait of Móric Beňovský. Surrounding him is a map of the world with an enlarged Madagascar, the horned head of a zebu, a compass and an emblem based on the Madagascan plant ravenala. The obverse side, designed by Miroslav Ronai, features a period sailing ship on stormy waves. The coin’s relief is completed by the Slovak national coat of arms, the nominal value of 20 EURO and the inscriptions MÓRIC BEŇOVSKÝ, KING OF MADAGASCAR, 1776, SLOVAKIA, 2026.

The coin was minted by the Kremnica Mint and issued by the National Bank of Slovakia.