9 July 2019
The Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a non-ferrous metal collector coin of HUF 2000 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Kálmán Kandó’s birth on 9 July 2019 thereby paying tribute to the internationally renowned pioneer in the development of electric railway traction. The special, rectangular collector coin is the 12th piece of the popular non-ferrous metal collector coin-series presenting Hungarian scientists, inventors and their inventions
Kálmán Kandó as a Hungarian engineer was the internationally renowned pioneer in the development of electric railway traction. His work rendered rail transport faster, safer and more environmental-friendly. He developed high-voltage three phase alternating current motors of industrial frequency for traction and the rotary phase converter. He devised the plans of the electric traction of the Valtellina railway in Italy, which was the first high-voltage railway in the world to operate on alternating current.
The ‘Kálmán Kandó’ collector coins are legal tender in Hungary, but they do not serve circulatory purposes. Primarily they are a means to commemorate, pay tribute to the Hungarian engineer of international reputation and to his work.
The obverse of the ‘Kálmán Kandó’ collector coin
 proof finish |
 BU finish |
As a central motif on the obverse the MÁV Class V40 electric locomotive with rotary phase converters, designed by Kálmán Kandó, also nicknamed as the Kandó locomotive, is shown outlined by a grainy background resembling the surface of data tables on old locomotives. The Class V40 and V60 locomotive revolutionised rail transport, because it could be operated on the frequency of the nationwide railway network, thereby avoiding the complicated and expensive frequency conversion. Based on the experiences gained during test runs, these locomotives were suitable for providing motive power to freight trains in addition to passenger trains. The locomotives in these classes were used until the 1960s.
The compulsory design elements of collector coins are placed on the obverse: in the upper left corner, the denomination ‘2000 FORINT’ broken into two lines below one another, in the upper right corner, also broken in two lines, the mint year 2019 and the mint mark ‘BP.’, and the lettering ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (Hungary) at the bottom of the obverse.
The reverse of the ‘Kálmán Kandó’ collector coin
 proof finish |
 BU finish |
The reverse of the coins feature a portrait inspired by a well-known portrait of Kálmán Kandó, to the right on the bottom of the coin the lettering KANDÓ / KÁLMÁN and the years 1869 – 1931 are shown, referring to the years of Kandó’s birth and death, in three lines placed below one another. The collector coins were designed by goldsmith Balázs Bitó. His master mark is placed along the left edge on the reverse.
The rectangular coin is minted from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%). It weighs 14 grams and it is 28.43 mm in size and has a smooth edge. The collector coins are issued in limited edition: a total of 10,000 coins will be minted: 6,000 in proof, and 4,000 in BU.
To promote the collector coins' value transferring and educational role as widely as possible the ‘Kálmán Kandó’ silver commemorative coin can be purchased for one year from the date of the issuance, at their face value until stocks last, at the coin shop of Hungarian Mint Ltd., the producer and the distributor of the coins, (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street) and in the webshop on the company’s website (https://www.penzvero.hu/) from 9 July 2019.