Coins of the Hungarian forint

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Hungarian forint coins (Hungarian: forint érmék) are part of the physical form of current Hungarian currency, the Hungarian forint. Modern forint coins (this name is used to distinguish them from pre-XXth century forint coinage) are stroke since 1946 and reflect the changes of the post-WWII Hungarian history.

Contents

[edit] Republic issues (1946-1948)

After the trauma of the Second World War and the hyperinflation of the pengő the Hungarian government had to face the problems of introducing a new currency. In the case of coins this meant that they had to express stability and raise confidence in the people toward the new money. The first coins minted in 1946 were made of copper alloys in the case of the fillér coins and aluminium in the case of the 1- and 2-forint-coins. Although the forint was based on gold standard, only silver coins were minted in the first two years: 5-forint-coins made of good quality silver were put into circulation. However, the government fear of hoarding these coins convinced the national bank to lower the mass and quality of silver used for the 1947 strike. Finally, no silver 5-forint-coins were minted for general circulation after 1947. The 5 and 50-fillér-coins were first minted in 1948 and were made of aluminium.

Commemorative coins appeared early, the first being a series of 3 coins in 1948 to commemorate the centennial of the 1848 revolution.

Republic issues - regular
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting issue withdrawal lapse
2 f 17.0 mm 1.7 mm 3.0 g Brass
85% copper
15% zinc		 Smooth "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ" 1, year of minting, "Kossuth" coat of arms Value, mintmark 1946 1 August 1946 30 June 1977 31 December 1977
5 f 17.0 mm 1.4 mm 0.6 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG" 2, year of minting, young female model Value, mintmark 1948 30 January 1946 30 September 1992 31 December 1993
10 f 19.1 mm 1.5 mm 3.0 g Aluminium bronze
92% copper
8% aluminium		 Milled "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ", year of minting, Dove carrying an olive branch Value, mintmark 1946 1 August 1946 30 June 1977 31 December 1977
20 f 21.0 mm 1.6 mm 4.0 g "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ", year of minting, 3 ears of wheat
50 f 22.0 mm 1.6 mm 1.4 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, man sitting on an anvil with a hammer Value, mintmark 1948 5 May 1948 30 June 1972 30 June 1973
1 Ft 23.7 mm 1.6 mm 1.5 g Milled "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ", mintmark, "Kossuth" coat of arms Value, year of minting 1946 1 August 1946 31 August 1951 31 March 1952
2 Ft 28.0 mm 2.0 mm 2.8 g "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, "Kossuth" coat of arms 31 December 1951 31 December 1952
5 Ft 32.0 mm 2.9 mm 20.0 g 835‰ silver "MUNKA A NEMZETI JÓLÉT ALAPJA" 3 "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, year of minting, value, "Kossuth" coat of arms "1802-1894 KOSSUTH", Lajos Kossuth 30 June 1977 31 December 1977
5 Ft 1.9 mm 12.0 g 500‰ silver "M Á P V" 4 and ornaments 1947 19 May 1947
Republic issues - commemorative
5 Ft 32.0 mm 1.9 mm 12.0 g 500‰ silver "ESKÜSZÜNK ESKÜSZÜNK" 5 "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", value, year of minting, mintmark "PETŐFI SÁNDOR 1848-49", Sándor Petőfi 1948 1 May 1948 30 June 1977 31 December 1977
10 Ft 36.0 mm 2.5 mm 20.0 g "A LEGNAGYOBB MAGYAR EMLÉKÉRE" 6 "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", value, year of minting, mintmark "SZÉCHENYI ISTVÁN 1848-49", István Széchenyi
20 Ft 40.0 mm 2.8 mm 28.0 g Ornament "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", value, year of minting, mintmark, "Kossuth" coat of arms "TÁNCSICS MIHÁLY 1848", Mihály Táncsics
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre, a standard for world coins. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

[edit] People's Republic issues (1949-1989)

In 1949 the communist party took power in every field of politics and economy. The country's name was changed to Hungarian People's Republic (Magyar Népköztársaság) which replaced the former name on the coins. The Kossuth's coat of arms was replaced with the Rákosi's one (see: coat of arms of Hungary). The 2, 10 and 20 fillér coins were made of aluminium after 1950.

As a consequence of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 the coat of arms was changed again, this version was used from 1957 until 1989.

People's Republic issues - regular
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting issue withdrawal lapse
2 f 18.0 mm 1.1 mm 0.65 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG" 7, year of minting Value, mintmark 1950 27 March 1950 30 September 1992 31 December 1993
5 f 17.0 mm 1.4 mm 0.6 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, young female model 1953 31 March 1953
10 f 19.1 mm 1.4 mm 0.85 g Aluminium Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Dove carrying an olive branch 1950 15 December 1950 30 September 1996 31 December 1997
10 f 18.5 mm 1.2 mm 0.6 g 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 Smooth 1967 12 May 1967
20 f 21.0 mm 1.6 mm 1.25 g Aluminium "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, 3 ears of wheat 1953 31 March 1953
20 f 20.4 mm 1.4 mm 0.9 g 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 Milled 1967 12 May 1967
50 f 22.0 mm 1.6 mm 1.4 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, man sitting on an anvil with a hammer 1953 31 March 1953 30 June 1972 30 June 1973
50 f 21.5 mm 1.2 g 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", Erzsébet Bridge Value, year of minting, mintmark 1967 12 May 1967 30 September 1999 30 September 2000
1 Ft 23.7 mm 1.6 mm 1.5 g Aluminium Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, "Rákosi" coat of arms Value, mintmark 1949 15 November 1949 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
1 Ft "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1957 10 October 1957
1 Ft 22.8 mm 1.8 mm 1.4 g 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 1967 12 May 1967
2 Ft 25.0 mm 1.4 mm 5.0 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Ornaments "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, "Rákosi" coat of arms 1950 20 January 1950 30 June 1971 30 June 1972
2 Ft "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1957 10 October 1957
2 Ft 58% copper
18% nickel
24% zinc		 1962 9 December 1962
2 Ft 22.4 mm 1.6 mm 4.44 g Brass
72% copper
28% zinc		 Smooth "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", "Kádár" coat of arms Value, year of minting, mintmark 1970 1 July 1970 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
5 Ft 27.5 mm 1.7 mm 7.4 g 60% copper
21% nickel
19% zinc		 Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, year of minting, value, "Kádár" coat of arms "1802-1894 KOSSUTH", Lajos Kossuth 1967 12 May 1967 30 June 1972 30 June 1973
5 Ft 24.3 mm 1.7 mm 5.73 g Nickel "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG" "KOSSUTH", Lajos Kossuth Value, mintmark, year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1971 2 August 1971 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
5 Ft 23.4 mm 1.6 mm 5.0 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 1983 18 April 1983
10 Ft 28.0 mm 1.9 mm 8.83 g Nickel Ornaments "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, the Liberty Statue in Budapest Value, year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1971 1 June 1971 31 March 1987 31 December 1988
10 Ft 25.4 mm 1.7 mm 6.1 g 92% copper
6% aluminium
2% nickel		 Ornaments "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, the Liberty Statue in Budapest Value, year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1983 18 April 1983 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
20 Ft 26.8 mm 1.8 mm 7.06 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", György Dózsa Value, year of minting, mintmark, "Kádár" coat of arms 1982 18 April 1983 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre, a standard for world coins. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

[edit] Recent issues (1990-)

Recent issues - regular
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting issue withdrawal lapse
2 f 18.0 mm 1.1 mm 0.65 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting Value, mintmark 1990 1 April 1990 30 September 1992 31 December 1993
5 f 17.0 mm 1.4 mm 0.6 g "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, young female model
10 f 18.5 mm 1.2 mm 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Dove carrying an olive branch 30 September 1996 31 December 1997
20 f 20.4 mm 1.4 mm 0.9 g Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, 3 ears of wheat
50 f 21.5 mm 1.6 mm 1.2 g Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", Erzsébet Bridge Value, year of minting, mintmark 30 September 1999 30 September 2000
1 Ft 16.3 mm 1.1 mm 2.05 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 1992 29 March 1993 Current
[1] [2] 2 Ft 19.2 mm 1.5 mm 3.1 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Hungarian Colchicum (Colchicum Hungaricum) Value, mintmark 1992 29 March 1993 Current
[3] [4] 5 Ft 21.2 mm 1.3 mm 4.2 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Great Egret (Egretta alba) Value, mintmark 1992 21 June 1993 Current
[5] [6] 10 Ft 24.8 mm 1.3 mm 6.1 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Alternately smooth and milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 1992 21 June 1993 Current
[7] [8] 20 Ft 26.3 mm 1.9 mm 6.9 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Stool Iris (Iris aphylla) Value, mintmark 1992 29 March 1993 Current
[9] [10] 50 Ft 27.4 mm 1.7 mm 7.7 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, sitting Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) Value, mintmark 1992 21 June 1993 Current
100 Ft 29.2 mm 1.9 mm 9.4 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Ornaments "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 1992 21 June 1993 31 December 1998 31 December 1999
[11] [12] 100 Ft 23.8 mm 2.2 mm 8 g Steel
Ring: Ni plated
Center: 75% Cu
25% Zn plated		 Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 1996 21 October 1996 Current
200 Ft 32 mm 1.7 mm 12 g 500‰ silver Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, value, mintmark, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, coat of arms The building of the Hungarian National Bank, signatures of its governor and four vice-governors 1992 1 December 1992 3 April 1998 3 April 1999
200 Ft Portrait of Ferenc Deák 1994 29 April 1994
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre, a standard for world coins. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

[edit] Remarks

  1. "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ" = "Hungarian state token coin" - váltópénz literally means "small change"; here it stands to express that the metal of which the coin is made is worth less than the face value of the coin itself
  2. "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG" = "Hungarian Republic"
  3. "MUNKA A NEMZETI JÓLÉT ALAPJA" = "Labour is the ground of national welfare"
  4. "M Á P V" = "Magyar Állami Pénzverde" = "Hungarian State Mint"
  5. "ESKÜSZÜNK ESKÜSZÜNK" = "We vow, we vow" (from the refrain of the Nemzeti dal by Sándor Petőfi)
  6. "A LEGNAGYOBB MAGYAR EMLÉKÉRE" = "To commemorate the greatest Hungarian" (Lajos Kossuth designated István Széchenyi as such)
  7. "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG" = "Hungarian People's Republic"

[edit] Further reading

  • Károly Leányfalusi, Ádám Nagy (1998). Magyarország fém- és papírpénzei 1926-1998 (Coins and paper money of Hungary 1926-1998). Magyar Éremgyűjtők Egyesülete, Budapest. ISBN 963036060233. 


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