H. Kolba Judit szerk.: Historical Exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum Guide 2 - From the Foundation of the State until the Expulsion of the Ottomans - The history of Hungary in the 11th to 17th centuries (Budapest, 2005)

ROOM 2 - The Age of the Anjou Kings (14th century) (Júlia Kovalovszki)

75. Embroidery of a chasuble (detail), early 15th century important. Earlier on Rudabánya had produced iron ore, but in the 14th to 15th centuries silver and copper were mined there. Dating from this time are the mine timbers, from which details of a mine have been reconstructed. The basis of the currency reform of Charles Robert was the production of precious metals. The monarch struck gold florins which followed Florentine designs, and silver groats which followed Prague ones. On gold coins issued by Louis the Great, the figure of the warrior-king, St Ladislas, makes its first appearance. St Ladislas was depicted on a whole series of Hungarian coins up until the end of the 16th century. As a result of buoyant commerce and monetary policy, the development of the towns experienced a great upswing. The greatest boost was given to the border-towns that had grown up along roads leading in and out of the country. The country's foreign trade links were directed mainly towards Venice, southern Germany and Poland. The mining towns represented a special category in the development of towns. Besides towns encircled by walls and possessing the most privileges, modest, non-fortified market-towns also appeared. The mining of precious metals provided raw material for a branch of artistic craft, goldsmith's work. In the glass-case a fine series of goldsmith's implements and products can be seen. Of outstanding value are