This tiny aluminium coin could be worth millions! Here’s how to spot the valuable 1-forint piece
A seemingly ordinary, tiny aluminium 1-forint coin has recently captured the attention of Hungarian collectors – and now, the entire country. At first glance, it looks like any other small change, yet it could be worth as much as one million forints. Because of its rarity and historical background, coin enthusiasts are willing to pay a fortune for this precious piece.
What makes this 1-forint coin so special?
The story goes back to 1952, when aluminium 1-forint coins featuring the Rákosi-era coat of arms were first minted. However, the true rarity appeared five years later, in 1957, following major political changes. That year, a new emblem – the symbol of the Kádár era – replaced the previous one. Before mass production began, only ten trial coins were made, which have since become some of the most valuable treasures in Hungarian numismatic history, according to Sonline.
These coins were not produced for circulation but as test strikes to check the technical quality of the minting process. Each trial coin bears the inscription “Próbaveret” (“trial strike”) divided on either side of the number “1”. What truly distinguishes the million-forint specimen is a tiny central marking inside the digit itself – a detail that collectors immediately recognise as a sign of rarity.
Worth up to one million forints
According to Forint Portál, the value of these coins has steadily increased over the years. In 2008, one example sold for nearly HUF 280,000’s worth of euros; by 2009, the price had risen to HUF 650,000. Another piece surfaced in 2015 and was valued at HUF 560,000, while in 2022, a known specimen fetched an impressive HUF 905,000 (EUR 2,340). Experts now believe that if another one emerges, its value could easily exceed HUF 1 million (EUR 2,590).
János Hencz, president of the Hungarian Numismatic Collectors’ Association, explains that trial strikes are among the most sought-after coins, as usually only a few dozen are ever produced. To collectors, they represent not only material but also historical value – each coin serves as a tangible imprint of a bygone era. In Somogy County alone, around 250 hobbyists collect coins, and many of them are still searching for the elusive 1957 1-forint piece.
Could you have it at home?
It’s worth taking a look through old drawers or forgotten coin collections – if you happen to find a 1957 aluminium 1-forint coin with the Kádár-era emblem and a small dot inside the number “1”, you might just be holding a treasure worth up to one million forints, though it’s very unlikely. The Forint Portál even offers expert appraisals, so you can find out whether that old coin in your pocket is actually a valuable relic of Hungarian history.
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