Hungary introduces new commemorative coin honouring 800 years of Pannonhalma Archabbey

On 28 August 2024, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) issued a new commemorative coin in honour of the Pannonhalma Archabbey, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Issuance of the coin marks an important date

The release of the new forint coin marks the 800th anniversary of the abbey church’s medieval reconstruction and consecration, as well as the 10th anniversary of its designation as a national heritage site, Pénzcentrum reports. The 3,000-forint coin is part of a larger series that showcases Hungary’s national heritage sites, which was initiated in 2014 by the National Heritage Institute. The Pannonhalma Archabbey coin was designed by artist Balázs Bitó.

The Pannonhalma Archabbey is one of Hungary’s most important spiritual and cultural centres and is regarded as the cradle of Hungarian Christianity. Its thousand-year-old school and one of the largest monastic libraries in the world are located here. Established in 996 by Prince Géza in honour of St. Martin of Tours, the monastery’s church was first consecrated around 1003.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Over the centuries, it was rebuilt multiple times due to fire and war. The current church, restored in 1224, stands as a rare example of medieval architecture, still in use today for monastic prayer. Pannonhalma was officially declared a national heritage site in 2014.

The commemorative Pannonhalma Archabbey coin

The coin commemorating the Pannonhalma Archabbey is the 11th in a series featuring Hungary’s national heritage sites. The series follows a consistent design principle: one side of each coin features an image representing the entire heritage site, while the other side highlights a characteristic detail of the site. The Pannonhalma coin exemplifies this design.

On the front of the coin, within a circular border, there is a depiction of part of the abbey’s founding charter. To the right, breaking the border, is a sculpture by Géza Stremeny of St. Maurus of Pannonhalma, emerging from one of the columns in St. Martin’s Basilica. The circular edge of the coin includes the inscriptions “MAGYARORSZÁG” (Hungary) at the top, “2024” and the mint mark “BP.” at the bottom, with the value “3000 FORINT” to the left.

The back of the coin shows the Pannonhalma Archabbey complex and its surrounding landscape, again enclosed within a circular border. At the bottom, slightly extending beyond the border, is the crest of the Hungarian Benedictines. The right side features the mark of designer Balázs Bitó. The circular edge on the reverse includes the inscriptions “PANNONHALMI BENCÉS FŐAPÁTSÁG” (Pannonhalma Benedictine Archabbey) and “NEMZETI EMLÉKHELY” (National Heritage Site), separated by the emblem of national heritage sites.

The coin is made of an alloy of 90% copper and 10% zinc, weighing 18.4 grams and measuring 37 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Only 10,000 pieces will be minted in this bronze-patinated finish. To ensure broad access to this commemorative coin, it will be available at face value for one year following its release, as long as supplies last. Interested buyers can purchase it starting 28 August 2024, from the Hungarian Mint’s coin shop in Budapest or through their online store.

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