New HUF 50 circulation coin, silver and non-ferrous metal coin to honour the Year of the Family

The Hungarian Government made 2018 the Year of the Family. As part of the programme series, measures to support families, their publicity, promotion and the representation of family values will be given a particularly highlighted role. In honour of the Year of the Family, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a new HUF 50 circulation coin, as well as a silver and a non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 and HUF 2,000, respectively, on 25 May 2018.

The face value side of the 50-forint coins to be issued is identical with the denomination side of the 50-forint coin currently in circulation; however, replacing the usual saker falcon the thematic side features the Year of the Family logo with a stylised representation of a family in the middle. The logo is positioned within a frame formed by the upper legend “MAGYARORSZÁG” and the mint year 2018, which place the Year of the Family programme in space and time.

The thematic side of the coin was designed by István Kósa. The technical parameters of the coin are identical to the 50-forint coins used in circulation: it is produced from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%). It weighs 7.7 grams, it is 27.4 mm in diameter, its edge height is 1.8 mm and it has a smooth edge.

The public will be able to familiarise themselves with the new 50-forint coin in circulation during cash transactions while making everyday purchases. The coins, produced in BU finish, will be available at their face value for collectors at the coin shop of the Hungarian Mint Ltd. at 7 Báthory utca, Budapest, before they enter circulation, until stocks last. There will be 2 million pieces made of the collector’s version of the 50-forint circulation. 12,000 pieces of the first day mint (in BU finish) will be available in serial numbered decorative packaging from the day of issuance - 25 May 2018 - through the distribution channels of the Hungarian Mint Ltd., at the coin shop of the company, as well as in the webshop on the company’s website (http://penzvero.hu/).

The MNB will make the coins available in limited quantities, by way of exchange, at its retail cash office at 1 Kiss Ernő utca, distr V, Budapest for three months after issuance.

In consideration of the significance the Year of the Family programme carries, the MNB will issue a silver commemorative coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 and a non-ferrous metal coin of HUF 2000 at the same time a new commemorative circulation coin is issued. The commemorative coins are legal tender in Hungary, but they do not serve circulatory purposes. Their primary role is to raise awareness and to acknowledge the family as a fundamental value.

The commemorative coin was designed by applied artist and goldsmith Zoltán Endrődy. Both coins have identical graphic design, with the value numeral being the only difference.

On the obverse of the commemorative coins, the complementary design elements of the Year of the Family programme, the building blocks, are featured, arranged in the stylised shape of a heart, signifying the force that holds families together. The compulsory design elements are placed on the obverse of the modern, playful coins: the value numerals 10,000 FORINT and 2000 FORINT in the upper legend, the lettering MAGYARORSZÁG in the lower legend, the mint year 2018 is featured to the left on the centre line of the coin, while the mint mark BP. is placed to the right.

On the reverse of the coin the central representation of the Year of the Family logo is shown, depicting a schematic drawing of a family. The building blocks making up the complementary design features, as a sheltering building, protect and embrace the family, like a home. The message of the coin side is complemented by the lettering ‘CSALÁDOK ÉVE 2018’ under the “building”. The master mark of Zoltán Endrődy, the designer of the coin, is shown to the left of the “building” motif.

Both collector coins are 38.61 mm in diameter. Their edge is reeded. The coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 is struck in 925‰ silver and the non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 2,000 is made from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%). The silver coin weighing 31.46 grams is made in proof finish and the non-ferrous metal coin weighing 30.8 grams in made in BU finish. The commemorative coins are issued in limited edition: 5,000 pieces can be made of each.