The National Bank of Hungary has issued a new coin honoring the 150th anniversary of the birth of one of Hungary’s leading architects from the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Visitors to both Budapest and Vienna often marvel at the exquisite and ornate edifices on structures built during this time, which was known for its intricate and detailed designs. Hungary in particular benefited from a great number of imaginative and prolific architects and interior designers during this era.
One such designer was Miksa Róth (1865 – 1944), a respected artist of the Imre Steindl Guild, whose work in the stained and artisan glass industry is treasured for its artistry and seen as the standard of expertise and craftsmanship in the field.
Both of Miksa Róth’s parents were glassworkers, and he learned the trade in the family’s workshop from an early age. He once said that he had not only learned to love glass, but to respect it as a noble material. He perfected his skills in Germany, France, and England, and learned the art of mosaics in Italy. He experimented with the use of eozin-glazed elements by Zsolnay and with opalescent Tiffany-style glass in mosaics. He also patented a special type of cement-board for movable mosaics, developing the free-contour mosaic technology and the method of creating unlit glass mosaics. Róth’s work was initially influenced by Historicism, and later by the Secessionist school and Art Deco. In 1885, he founded his “independent glass painting art institute.”
One of Roth’s great commissions was the main stair hall and the Art Nouveau glass windows in what was the newly authorized Austro-Hungarian Bank, founded in 1878.
Originally located on József Nádor Street, plans for a larger headquarters were announced after the turn of the century. The chosen site on Szabadság Street had been the location of a notorious prison; an adjacent lot would house the new Stock Exchange. The jury unanimously chose the plans of renowned architect Ignác Alpár and construction on the headquarters of the central bank took place from 1902 to 1905.
The builders, craftsmen, artists, smiths, and master joiners working on the project were members of the Steindl Guild, headed by Ignác Alpár. The building’s rich interior was designed by some of Hungary’s most well-known artisans, with special attention paid to the interior statuary work, the wrought-iron work, the interior design of the grand council hall (today known as the Lamfalussy-hall), and the carved doors. Differing slightly from the original building plans, the bank building’s stark, robust, monumental façade is a defining element of today’s Szabadság Street, along with the Stock Exchange, also designed by Alpár.
Miksa Róth’s massive leaded glass windows harmonize perfectly with the Bank’s august interior. In addition to the grand mosaic windows of the Hungarian National Bank, his works are found in the Parliament building, the Gresham Palace, the Music Academy, the National Archives, and at the Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma. One of his most important foreign projects was the glass cupola of the Teatro Nacional in Mexico City. Róth died in June of 1944 in Budapest, as the country was embroiled in the Second World War. He was 79 years old.
The coins, designed by Zoltán Tóth, are struck by the Mint of Hungary in Budapest and are issued in both sterling silver and base metal; the two versions share a common design. The obverse side includes a familiar portrait of Róth facing left, with the rich Secessionist-style stained glass windows of the Bank’s headquarters featured just behind the portrait. The text “RÓTH MIKSA 1865-1944” is placed around the upper half of the coin, around the primary design.
The reverse design includes one of the exterior friezes of this iconic building, along with the coin’s denomination, and MAGYARORSZAG.
Denomination | Metal | Weight | Diameter | Quality | Mintage |
2000 Forint | Cupro-nickel | 23.7 grams | 37 mm. | BU | 5000 pieces |
10,000 Forint | .925 silver | 24 grams | 37 mm. | Proof | 5000 pieces |
The coins also mark the 110th anniversary of the building’s 1905 inauguration. Each versions can be purchased individually from the National Bank and the Mint of Hungary. For more information on these and other coins issued from the National Bank, please visit the Web site of the Mint of Hungary. Information is offered in English and Hungarian, with international orders dispatched where applicable.
Share:
Dear Michael,
I find this coin truly exceptional. This coin much like others in the past from Hungary, Czech and Slovak, made discover something new and appealing. After reading about this coin. , I googled and went through some work of Roth, simply fantastic. His passion for glass truly reflects in his work and I would this coin would tangible reason to remember this for long time.
Regards,
Mahesh
I shared my views with Hungarian Mint on Facebook and on this occasion they were prompt to respond and passed my appreciation to the designer.
Hello Mahesh,
I had the opportunity to see the Roth glass panels at the National Bank some years ago when I was a guest there, I thought at the time they would make a great focus for a coin but I has envisaged somehow depicting them with glass inserts on the coin – they have to be seen to truly be appreciated, his work is dotted around the city and one is more a marvel than the last – go yourself and have a look..!
Well, yes, something similar to the 850th celebration of Notre Dame Cathedral by Monnaie de Paris couple of years ago
Hi Michael,
I received mine today morning & felt compelled to share my experience with you. It absolutely stunning ! The designer has captured the finest details of Roth’s lead glass window work ( compared it with the picture) . I think this is perhaps the finest coins produced this year.
I believe unlike some of the other popular mints around the world, Hungarian Mint doesn’t believe in marketing & PR and let their work do all the talking ….
Hello Mahesh,
Glad you are satisfied, I agree, this coin is one of their winners and I look forward to seeing it during the World Money Fair. Together with the design and the proof quality, I’m sure the glass depiction is the coin’s more alluring element not to mention the part of the Bank’s edifice which is also included on the reverse.
I am well acquainted with their marketing department and I can tell you they appreciate all of the compliments which their coins receive – word of mouth is the most effective advertisement.. 🙂