Important: New forint coin to be introduced today in Hungary!

To mark the 175th anniversary of the Hungarian Defence Forces, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank (MNB) is issuing a 100-forint commemorative circulation coin on 23 May 2023. The special coin highlights the symbolic elements of the logo of the Hungarian Defence Forces, commemorating the values and traditions of the historical past and the military history that are still relevant today. The thematic side of the coin was designed by sculptor Zoltán Kovács and will be released in 1 million pieces from the day of issuance.

New forint coin

In addition to the struggle for individual liberties, the Hungarian War of Independence in 1848-1849 also aimed to establish national autonomy. An important step in this process was the establishment of the Hungarian Defence Forces. On 16 May 1848, Lajos Kossuth, the Minister of Defence of the first accountable Hungarian government, published his famous proclamation on the establishment of the Hungarian Defence Battalions, thereby creating the first centrally organised Hungarian army, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, mnb.hu wrote.

The main task of the Hungarian Defence Forces is currently to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and to strengthen the collective defence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Its further tasks include contributing to other allied missions undertaken jointly in partnership and in accordance with international treaties, peace support and humanitarian operations, response to major industrial and natural disasters, and advanced training of allied military and civilian law enforcement forces, including outside the NATO and the European Union.

To mark the 175th anniversary of the Hungarian Defence Forces, the MNB is issuing a 100-forint commemorative circulation coin on 23 May 2023. The issuance coincides with the Day of the Hungarian Defence Forces, which has been observed since 1992 pursuant to a government decree to commemorate the recapture of Buda Castle by the Hungarian Defence Forces on 21 May 1849 after a three-week siege, the climax of the spring campaign in the Hungarian War of Independence.

The face value side of the 100-forint bicolour coin, to be issued, is identical to the face value side of the current circulation coin of the same denomination, but on the thematic side the usual coat of arms design is replaced by motifs representing the core values of the Hungarian Defence Forces and elements from its logo. The coin was designed by sculptor Zoltán Kovács.

Traditional symbols

On the obverse, extending into the outer ring, the central motif features details from the logo of the Hungarian Defence Forces, a turul, a bird of prey, holding the sword of Stephen I of Hungary in its claws, and the shield of the Hungarian Defence Forces, with heraldic stripes indicating the national colours. The visual elements focus attention on historical traditions and the role of the Defence Forces. The turul is the animal totem of the Hungarian mythical traditions, the embodiment of celestial power and the supremacy of the ruler, from which the origins of the Árpád dynasty can be traced. Its extended wings represent its protective role.

The sword is a symbol of power and royalty. Traditionally, Hungarian kings used the sword of St Stephen to wave to the four compass points from the coronation hill, demonstrating their power over the country. The shield of the Hungarian Defence Forces defines national belonging and it is also a symbol of security and defence, referring to the basic task of the Hungarian Defence Forces.

The visual representation of this concept is framed by inscriptions. The inner core of the coin bears the motto of the Hungarian Defence Forces: the inscription ‘A HAZÁÉRT’ (For country) is placed in the outer ring, inside the beaded border. In the upper legend, the lettering ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (Hungary) and the words ‘175 éves a MAGYAR HONVÉDSÉG’ (175 years of the Hungarian Defence Forces) are seen with the minting year ‘2023’.

Reverse and obverse

There will be 1 million pieces made of the 100-forint commemorative circulation coins to be issued on the anniversary. The public will be able to familiarise themselves with the new coin in circulation in cash transactions while making everyday purchases. The MNB will not exchange denominations in its retail cash office. From the total number of one million, 12,000 pieces will be available for purchase in a serial numbered decorative packaging as first-day mint (in BU finish), with a sticker showing a unique QR code on the back, in addition to the serial number. Using the MNB’s Money Museum mobile application, the gift-wrapped first-day mint coin can be digitally registered on the MNB’s private blockchain. The new technology offers traceability of the coin’s journey from the first registration onwards in the mobile application.

The new 100-forint commemorative circulation coin will also be available as a collector’s item in a roll of 20 coins.

The gift-wrapped first-day mint of the new 100-forint commemorative circulation coin:

The sale of first day mints and collector rolls starts on 23 May 2023 at the coin shop (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street) and webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) of Hungarian Mint Ltd., the producer and distributor of the coins.