Hungary has marked the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács with the release of commemorative coins and a special stamp block, unveiled at an anniversary ceremony in the southern Hungarian town of Mohács on Friday.
National Bank and Hungarian Post Office unveil special issues honouring the victims and heroes
The Hungarian National Bank (Magyar Nemzeti Bank, MNB) has issued two commemorative coins — a HUF 30,000 silver coin and a HUF 6,000 non-ferrous metal version.
Meanwhile Magyar Posta has released a special stamp block commemorating one of the defining events in Hungarian history.
The Battle of Mohács took place on 29 August 1526, when the Hungarian army suffered a decisive defeat against the forces of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
The Battle of Mohács resulted in heavy Hungarian losses and had profound consequences for the country’s subsequent history.
Two commemorative coins issued in limited numbers
Levente Sipos-Tompa, Vice President of the MNB responsible for the supervision of financial institutions and consumer protection spoke at the anniversary event.
He said the central bank’s commemorative coins pay tribute to the heroes and victims of the battle and to the courage of the soldiers who sacrificed themselves in defence of their homeland.
The MNB is issuing 5,000 examples of each version, meaning that only 10,000 coins in total will be produced.
The central bank emphasised that the primary purpose of commemorative coins is to convey historical and cultural value and attract attention to significant events.
They are not intended for everyday transactions. Their limited production and artistic design give them a special collector’s value, while the denomination helps preserve their value as collectible coins.
A design inspired by the Mohács National Memorial Site
The obverse of the coins features a composition inspired by the split gate of the Mohács National Memorial Site, alongside a stylised depiction of a burial mound decorated with sword-divided, cross-shaped motifs.
The design also carries an inscription quoting the closing lines of Károly Kisfaludy’s poem Mohács, written in 1821. The inscription reflects on the historical significance of Mohács while looking towards the future and peace.
The reverse depicts mounted warriors heading into battle, facing a line of lances symbolising the Ottoman army. The coins were designed by Zoltán Endrődy.
The HUF 30,000 coin is made of 925-fineness silver and weighs 31.46 grams. It has a proof finish and measures 26.40 by 39.60 millimetres.
The HUF 6,000 version is made from an alloy containing 75 per cent copper and 25 per cent nickel, weighs 27 grams and has a satin finish. Both coins have a rectangular shape with a smooth edge.
The 2026 minting year and the BP mint mark also appear on the obverse, while the reverse features the official ‘Mohács 500’ logo and the denominations.
Special stamp block recalls the Battle of Mohács through art
Magyar Posta has also issued a commemorative stamp block for the 500th anniversary. The postal issue is intended not only as a philatelic collector’s item but also as a tribute to those who lost their lives defending their homeland on 29 August 1526.
The stamp block uses prominent works of art connected with the Battle of Mohács and the period to evoke the historical events.
The frame features a woodcut entitled The Battle of Mohács, produced in 1526. The stamp on the left depicts István Dorffmaister’s portrait Louis II, while the stamp on the right features a detail from József Borsos’s The Battle of Mohács in 1526, a copy of Dorffmaister’s painting.
The commemorative envelope is decorated with a detail from Bertalan Székely’s painting The Discovery of the Body of Louis II. The first-day cover also bears the official logo of the Mohács 500 commemorative year.
The stamp block was produced at the Pénzjegynyomda printing house using photographs by István Füzi and Gerald Raab, based on a design by graphic artist Balázs Hajnal. The commemorative envelopes were produced by Pátria Nyomda.
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Remembering a turning point in Hungarian history
The anniversary issues form part of Hungary’s wider commemorations of the half-millennium since the Battle of Mohács. The 1526 defeat became a defining turning point in Hungarian history.
King Louis II was killed following the battle, while the defeat contributed to the subsequent division of the Kingdom of Hungary and the expansion of Ottoman influence in the region.
Five centuries later, the new coins and stamps provide tangible reminders of the people who fought and died at Mohács, while preserving the memory of the battle through Hungary’s traditions of coin collecting and philately.
The commemorative issues were unveiled in Mohács during the city’s official 500th-anniversary celebrations, attended by representatives of the MNB, Magyar Posta and the local government.
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