Hungary: Latest coin released in current series Hungarian Nobel prize winners honours Georg von Békésy

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank has released (3rd June) new commemorative coins which continue the series entitled “Hungarian Nobel Prize Winners” first launched in 2012. For 2022, the sixth coin in the series focuses on Biophysicist Georg von Békésy (1899–1972). The coins were issued on the 123rd anniversary of his birth and also mark the 50th anniversary of his death. The award was bestowed based on his research on the actual method of hearing. Today, the devices used to examine hearing operate on the basis of the operating principle of the audiometer developed by him. Georg von Békésy died in Honolulu 10 days after his 73rd birthday while still a citizen of Hungary in 1972. 

The oval-shaped collector coins are produced by the Mint of Hungary at their facilities in Budapest on behalf of the Hungarian National Bank. The obverse was designed by applied artist Zoltán Endrődy while the reverse by sculptor Zoltán Kovács. The obverse side features a front-facing portrait of the Noble Prize-winning scientist, which is based on an actual photograph believed to have been taken just before his receipt of the award. The inscription BÉKÉSY GYÖRGY NOBEL-DÍJ ● 1961 ● (“Georg von Békésy Noble Prize 1961”) is placed to the left of the portrait arranged in three lines. On the right edge is the insignia of the sculptor Zoltán Kovács.

On the reverse is a recreation of one of the major results of Georg von Békésy’s research which is the travelling sound waves within the cochlea in the inner ear, arriving from the surroundings. Inserted into the representation of the cochlea, in micro-print is the lettering BÉKÉSY GYÖRGY A BELSŐ FÜL CSIGÁJÁBAN LÉTREJÖVŐ INGERÜLETEK FIZIKAI MECHANIZMUSÁNAK FELFEDEZÉSÉÉRT KAPOTT FIZIOLÓGIAI ÉS ORVOSTUDOMÁNYI NOBEL-DÍJAT 1961-BEN (Georg von Békésy received the Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries of the physical mechanism of stimulation within the cochlea in 1961) is seen on the inside swirl. On the outside of the representation of the cochlea are the indications of sound wavelength as 200 Hz 400 Hz 600 Hz 800 Hz 1000 Hz 1500 Hz 2000 Hz 3000 Hz 4000 Hz 5000 Hz 7000 Hz 20000 Hz. The denominations 7500 (silver) or 2000 (cupro-nickel) FORINT are placed to the left of the primary design with the mintmark BP seen just under the denomination. Along the lower edge is the text MAGYARORSZÁG (“Hungary”) and the year of issue, 2022. On the right edge is the insignia of the artist, Zoltán Endrődy. 

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Dimensions	Quality	Maximum Mintage
2,000 forint	Cupro-nickel	10.3 g	30 x 25 mm	Brilliant Unc.	4,000
7,500 forint	.925 Silver	12.5 g	30 x 25 mm	Proof	4,000

Both the silver Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated base metal coins are specially encapsulated to accommodate the coin’s oblong shape and are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please click here.

Collectors in Hungary or visiting can purchase the coins from the 3rd June at the Hungarian Mint’s retail shop located at 7 Báthory Street, Budapest, distr. V. 

❑

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!