Coin Update» Hungarian Mint

Jozsef Remenyi Featured within Europa Silver Star Coin Series

Michael Alexander — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:21:28 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary have issued (23^rd January) a collector’s coin to celebrate the 125^th anniversary of birth of Jozsef Remenyi (1887 – 1977) noted sculptor, artist, and one of the founders of the 20th century Hungarian art of medals. His numerous finely outlined drawings on coins, medals, and statues bear the mark of the modern classicism and Art-Nouveau. Among other works, he is credited with having designed the former 5, 10, 20 and 50 filler denominations originally introduced in 1946 and part of the Hungarian forint currency system.

The coin is issued within the annual EUROPA star series which highlights various subjects within a harmonized Europe-wide program. Struck by the Mint of Hungary in Budapest, the coin’s design is the work of Mihaly Fritz and includes a profile portrait of the Man himself along with his name and date of his birth and the year he died, 1977. To the lower right of the portrait is the EUROPA logo, an inverted star integrated with the letter “E” denoting the issue within the program. The reverse depicts portion of one of Remenyi’s well-known plaques called the “Daughters of Danaids” inspired from Greek mythology which was created in 1927.

The coin’s denomination of 5000 Forint appears just to the upper right of the primary design. Struck in sterling silver with a diameter of 38.6 mm and a weight of 31.4 grams, the coin is offered in proof quality with a limited mintage of 6,000 pieces.

For more information on this and other coins issued by the National Bank of Hungary, please visit the Mint of Hungary’s website at http://coins.hu/products/silver_coins/jozsef-remenyi-125anniversary-5000Ft-Ag-proof.html

The Tragedy of Man Featured on Hungarian Coin

Michael Alexander — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:27:28 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary have issued (12^th January) a collector's coin to mark the 150^th anniversary of the first publication of The Tragedy of Man, written by Imre Madach (1823 - 1864) eminent writer, poet, lawyer and politician who was born in Alsósztregova (presently Dolná Strehová in Slovakia).

The Tragedy of Man is considered to be one of the major works of Hungarian literature and is one of the most often staged Hungarian plays today with many lines having become common quotations in Hungary. The work has also been the inspiration and basis for other publications and more recently, movies and plays in many countries in Europe and further afield. Although the published story first appeared on the 12^th January 1862, the actual printing had been completed by the end of 1861 and the original copies were dated with the year "1861" on the cover page.

Struck at the Mint of Hungary in Budapest, the coin's design is the work of Enikő Szöllőssy who chose to depict the figures of Adam and Eve with the foreboding outline of Lucifer behind. The figures are atop the Earth and the title of the publication is placed across the surface. The reverse of the coin includes a front-facing portrait of Imre Madach placed towards the upper left side along with the year of issue "2012" and the denomination of 3000 Forint. This coin also carries for the first time, the denotation of "MAGYARORSZAG" which has been shortened as the officially recognized name of the country, dropping the word "Republic" as a result of changes in the country's constitution which came into effect on the 1^st January.

The coin is struck in sterling silver to proof quality with a weight of 20 grams and a diameter of 34 mm. A total mintage of 4,000 pieces has been authorized.

For more information on this and other coins offered by the National Bank of Hungary, please visit the website of the Mint of Hungary at: http://coins.hu/products/silver_coins/imre-madach-tragedy-of-man-150-PP.html#!ShowDetails

Hungarian Gold Coin Honors Franz Liszt

Michael Alexander — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:10:20 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary have announced the issue of a gold coin which celebrates the 200^th anniversary of the birth of one of Hungary's most noted and celebrated composers, Franz Liszt, who was born on the 22^nd October 1811. Considered to be one of the greatest pianists of all time and a master of Romanticism, Franz Liszt was born in the village of Doborján (present-day Raiding, Austria), in the county of Sopron.

Liszt was an incredibly impressive pianist, a bold, ground-breaking composer, a masterful conductor, and a widely-respected teacher and writer on the subject of music. His almost-forgotten Hungarian roots came to mind again as a result of the great flood of Pest in 1838, when he gave a massively successful series of benefit concerts for the flood victims in Vienna. Already a renowned musician, he first returned to Hungary at the turn of 1839/40, where he premiered as a conductor and was awarded a ceremonial sabre on behalf of the nation for his patriotism. His last home in Budapest is now the Franz Liszt Memorial Museum.

The coin, which is struck by the Mint of Hungary in Budapest is designed by Tamás E. Soltra, and depicts Liszt as a young man based on the portrait by Ingres. To the right of the portrait, is a facsimile of Liszt's signature and the years "1811 - 1886". The reverse features the hand-written script "Rakoczi Marsch" under a piano lid and a portion of the sheet music. The coin's denomination of 50,000 Forint is below the primary design with the text "MAGYAR KOZTARSASAG" above.

The coin is struck to proof quality and in standard ducat gold fineness (.986) with a weight 6.9 grams with a diameter of 22 mm. The authorized mintage of this coin is limited to 5,000 pieces. A special piedfort edition will also be produced with a total weight of 13.9 grams and a limited mintage of 1,500 pieces. Unique to this version will be the edge lettering around the coin which reads: "MINT MAGYAR HAZÁMNAK HŰ FIA: LISZT FERENC" (As a loyal son of the Hungarian nation: Ferenc Liszt).

The coin's official release date was the 21^st October, one day before the actual anniversary. For more information on this and other coins offered by the National Bank of Hungary, please visit the Mint of Hungary's website at: http://coins.hu/

Hungarian Coin Honors Istivan Bibo

Michael Alexander — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:52:11 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary have issued (6th August) a coin to mark the 100th anniversary of birth of one of the country’s most celebrated figures of the post war political scene. Istivan Bibo (1911–1979) was a lawyer, politician, political thinker, and Minister of State in the 3rd government of Imre Nagy in 1956.

Bibo's interest in the philosophy of law, the relationship between law & power, and the political development of Central and Eastern European states was fostered by his family background. Arrested in October 1944 by the Hungarian fascists, he escaped a few days later and went underground. In November 1956, he was appointed Minister of State in the coalition government by Imre Nagy. After the revolution was crushed, he sought compromise, but was later convicted in 1958 for publishing an analysis of the revolution and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released as part of an amnesty in 1963 and worked at the library of the Central Statistical Office until his retirement in 1971.

The obverse design, which is the work of engraver Mihály Fritz, depicts Bibo authoring his well known proclamation of the 4th November 1956 along with the years of his birth & death and name in the Hungarian style (last name first). The reverse of the coin is designed by György Szabo and includes the text of the celebrated proclamation (translated in English) “THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY SACRIFICED ENOUGH OF THEIR BLOOD TO SHOW THE WORLD THEIR DEVOTION TO FREEDOM”. The denomination of 5000 Forint is positioned towards the top along with the name of the country and year of issue and mintmark (BP) on either side.

The coin is struck in sterling silver (.925) with a weight of 31.4 grams and a diameter of 38.6 mm. A total mintage of only 6,000 proof quality pieces is authorised. The coin is available from either the National Bank of Hungary or the Mint of Hungary.

For more information, please visit the website of the Mint at: www.penzvero.hu

Lutheran Heritage in Hungary Remembered on Silver Coin

Michael Alexander — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:57:23 +0000

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue (12th June) a silver collector coin honoring of the 200th anniversary of the consecration of the Deák tér Lutheran Church of Budapest. This will represent the fourth in the series of commemorative coins celebrating Hungarian ecclesiastical architecture. The three previous featured the Esztergom Cathedral, the Reformed Church in Debrecen, and the Budapest Synagogue in Dohány Street.

The obverse of the present release depicts the front façade of the structure. This is the work of Emma Sz. Egyed. The reverse of the coin depicts the altar which was completed for the consecration in 1811.

The coin’s face value is 5000 Forint and is struck in .925 silver with a weight of 31.4 grams and a diameter of 38.61 mm. The scallop-shaped coin will be struck in both proof quality with a total of 5000 pieces and uncirculated with a total mintage of 3000 pieces.

For more information on this and other coins available from the Mint of Hungary, please visit their website at: www.coins.hu

Duna-Dráva National Park Silver Coin Issued by Hungary

Michael Alexander — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:13:32 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary has issued (22nd April) a new coin in their ongoing series of highlighting national parks and reserves within the country. Struck by the Hungarian Mint in Budapest.

The ingot-type coin is designed by Gábor Kereszthury and features a landscape scene of the typical steep banks from the Duna-Dráva National Park. The park was established along the Danube and Dráva rivers, covering an area of some 50.000 hectares, where a colorful and unspoiled ecosystem can be found. Almost the whole of the national park is located in an area, which was formerly a flood-plain.

The reverse of the coin features a beautifully detailed depiction of the black stork which is found in great numbers in the Park, along with the coin’s denomination of 5000 forint and the year of issue 2011.

The coin is struck in sterling (.925) silver with a weight of 31.4 grams and measurements of 39.6 mm by 26.4 mm. A total of only 3000 Brilliant uncirculated pieces and 5000 proof examples will be struck.

This represents the second coin in the series. The first release featured Orsegi National Park.

For more information on this and other coins currently on offer from the National Bank of Hungary, please visit the Hungarian Mint’s website at: http://coins.hu/

New Hungarian Coin Features Árpád Tóth

Michael Alexander — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:08:07 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary has issued (12th April) a new coin highlighting a Hungarian author of national repute on the occasion of his 125th anniversary of birth. The coin features Árpád Tóth (1886 – 1928) who was a member of the first generation of exceptionally versatile authors, he was a contributor to the “Nyugat”, a critical literary journal which lifted Hungarian literature onto the European stage.

The coin is designed by Márta Csikai and depicts the author in front view looking to the right along with the years, “1886 - 1928” and his name along the upper edge to the right of the portrait.

The reverse of the coin shows a handwritten quote from his poem “Az árnyból szőtt lélek” (Soul Woven of Shadows) and a facsimile of his signature along with the coin’s denomination of 5000 Forint and year of issue, 2011 to the right of the central design.

The coin is struck in .925 fine silver with a weight of 31.4 grams and a diameter of 38.6 mm. The maximum mintage has been set at 4,000 pieces in proof quality and 2,000 pieces in brilliant uncirculated, for a total of 6,000 coins.

For more information on this and other coins currently on offer from the National Bank of Hungary, please visit the Hungarian Mint’s website at: http://coins.hu/

Hungarian Coin Honors Anyos Jedlik

Michael Alexander — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:23:39 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary has issued the latest collector’s coin (11th January) in the series which honours the country’s most noted and inspiring inventors and engineers.

The coin is square in shape and is struck in cupro-nickel with a face value of 1000 Forint, the coin is the work of designer Balazs Bito. The obverse carries a front-facing portrait of Anyos Jedlik (1800 – 1895) who is credited with the development of the dynamo and electric motor. Jedlik was also an accomplished Physicist.

The reverse of the coin depicts the inventor’s own Dyanamo prototype model from 1856 along with the coin’s value and text “MAGYAR KOZTARSASAG” and year of issue. The dimensions of the coin are 28.4 X 28.4 mm with a weight of 14 grams of cupro-nickel. The coin is struck in proof and BU quality, with a limit of 10,000 pieces each.

For more information, please visit the website of the Hungarian mint which have pages in English at: http://coins.hu/

(Coin images are kindly provided by the Hungarian Mint)

Coin Issued to Mark Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Michael Alexander — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:46:49 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary has issued a collector’s coin (3rd January) in honor of the rotating EU presidency which Hungary will chair for the first half of 2011. Struck at the Mint of Hungary in Budapest, the coin has a denomination of 3000 forint and is the work of designer Atilla Ronay.

The obverse shows a portion of the skyline of the center of Budapest with the circle of the European Union’s twelve stars above it. The text above the main motif reads “AZ EURÓPAI UNIÓ TANÁCSÁNAK”. Additional text just under the central design reads “MAGYAR ELNOKSEGE 2011” (translation: HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 2011). The reverse of the coin shows the denomination above the national coat of arms and year of issue.

Each coin is struck in .925 silver, with a diameter of 30 mm and a weight of 10 grams. There will be both proof and BU examples with mintages of 5,000 pieces for the proof strike and 3,000 examples for the BU issue.

Hungary’s EU presidency ends on the 1st July of this year. For more information, please visit the website of the Hungarian Mint which have pages in English at: http://coins.hu/

(Coin images are kindly provided by the Hungarian Mint.)

Ferenc Erkel Gold and Silver Coins from Hungary

Michael Alexander — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:11:54 +0000

The National Bank of Hungary has issued two new coins to mark the 200th anniversary of birth of Ferenc Erkel, composer of the Hungarian national anthem. The gold and silver coins, released on 6th November, represent the last coins to be issued for 2010.

The silver coin depicts Ferenc Erkel on the obverse along with a facsimile of his signature just below his portrait. The years of his birth and death appear on either side of the portrait. The reverse carries an image of Erkel’s ancestral home along with the coin’s denomination and the year of minting.

The gold coin, at just one half gram in weight, is interesting in that it is the world’s smallest gold coin to be minted. The coin carries a detailed partial portrait of Erkel, positioned to the right side, with his name and years of birth and death to the left. The reverse of the coin carries the coin’s denomination of 5000 Forint and the year of minting, 2010.

The 5000 Forint silver coin is limited to a mintage of 5,000 proof quality pieces and is struck in .925 silver with a weight of 31.4 grams and a diameter of 38.6 mm. The gold coin is limited to a mintage of 10,000 pieces and is struck in .999 gold with a weight of one half gram (.5) and a diameter of 11 mm.

For more information on these and other coins issued for 2010, please visit the website of the Hungarian Mint at http://coins.hu/ and choose English at the bottom page for your convenience.