PHOTOS: Multiple new forint coins have been issued – here is how they look and their value
The Hungarian National Bank is issuing new forint coins named ‘Szent László király’ (Ladislaus I of Hungary) with a face value of 500,000 forints, in one ounce of fine gold, 20,000 forints in one ounce of fine silver and a non-ferrous metal version with a face value of HUF 3,000 as part of the ‘Nation-Building Sovereigns from the Árpád Dynasty’ series. The collector coins, based on motifs of the historical period, were designed by goldsmith Zoltán Tóth.
Hungarian National Bank has issued new forint coins
The exceptionally low mintage of 500 gold coins is the most valuable in this year’s programme, the Hungarian National Bank wrote in a today statement. The coins commemorate Ladislaus I of Hungary (1077-1095), who, as a just ruler, strengthened the Christian state and enacted important laws to protect private property and the church organisation.
During his reign, he successfully defended the country from external attacks by the Pechenegs and the Cumans, thus fortifying the eastern borders of the country for a century and a half. He was canonised in 1192. His legacy is one of the pillars of medieval Hungarian statehood.
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Nation-Building Sovereigns from the Árpád Dynasty series
The issued collector coins are the third part of the ‘Nation-Building Sovereigns from the Árpád Dynasty’ series, alongside the Stephen I of Hungary (2021) and Andrew I of Hungary (2023). The primary role of the ‘Ladislaus I of Hungary’ commemorative coins is to disseminate knowledge; therefore, they are not to be used in everyday payments. Their face value serves to preserve the value of the coins represent to collectors. The gold, silver and non-ferrous metal versions feature the same coin design, differing only in their denomination.
Here’s how they look
The obverse of the coin depicts the obverse of one of the silver denarii issued by Ladislaus I of Hungary. The edge of the obverse displays, in circular lettering, at the top, the inscription ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (HUNGARY), at the bottom, the value markings ‘500000’, ‘20000’ and ‘3000’ and the inscription ‘FORINT’, horizontally, and on the left, the year of minting ‘2025’, and on the right, the ‘BP.’ mint mark.
On the reverse of the coin, on the right, is a half-length profile of a detail of the herm of Ladislaus I of Hungary. On the left side of the reverse, arranged in three lines, is the inscription ‘SZENT LÁSZLÓ KIRÁLY’ (LADISLAUS I OF HUNGARY), below it, arranged in two lines, the years ‘1077’ and ‘1095’, indicating the period of his reign. At the bottom the master mark of the designer, goldsmith Zoltán Tóth is shown.
The circular legend on the smooth edges features the lettering of “UNGARORUM REX PIISSIMUS LADIZLAUS”, meaning “Ladislaus, the very pious king of the Hungarians” (the source of the inscription is a document from 1086, which is a census of the monastery’s property in Bakonybél).
Available only for limited time
The collector coins, based on motifs of the historical period, were designed by goldsmith Zoltán Tóth.
The silver version of the ‘Ladislais I of Hungary’ coin will be available for purchase for three months, while stock last, and the nonferrous metal version for one year from the date of issuance of 27 June 2025 at face value at the coin shop of Hungarian Mint Ltd. (5th district. Budapest, Báthory Street 7.) and in its online store.
More details about the new coins HERE.
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