1 September 2021
To celebrate the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Budapest in 2021, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank is today issuing a silver commemorative coin with a face value of HUF 10,000, a non-ferrous metal commemorative coin with a face value of HUF 2,000, as well as a commemorative version of the HUF 50 circulation coin.
Hungary will once again play host to the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) between 5 and 12 September 2021. More than sixty lecturers from nearly forty countries on five continents will arrive in the Hungarian capital to attend the one-week international event. A wealth of colourful spiritual and cultural programmes will enrich the Congress, at the closing event of which Pope Francis will celebrate the Holy Mass.
Hungary was given the opportunity to hold one of the greatest events of the Catholic community first in 1938. It is hoped that the Congress, postponed from 2020 to this year due to the global pandemic, will bring spiritual renewal for the Hungarian society.
To commemorate the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, the MNB issued a silver commemorative coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 and a non-ferrous metal commemorative coin with a face value of HUF 2,000, and put into circulation a commemorative version of the HUF 50 circulation coin. As part of the issuing ceremony, Cardinal Péter Erdő and CEO of the Hungarian Post György Schamschula honoured the Congress by issuing a stamp block for the occasion.
The primary purpose of the silver and non-ferrous metal coins titled ‘52. Nemzetközi Eucharisztikus Kongresszus’ (52nd International Eucharistic Congress) is awareness-raising and disseminating information; they should not be used to make everyday payments. Their face value serves to preserve the value of these coins for the collector.
The obverse of the commemorative coins bears a detail of the Missionary Cross, the symbol of the world event, adapted to coin. The Missionary Cross is not only a unique work carrying the motifs of our historic past but also a singular reliquary of Hungarian saints. The Relic of the Holy Cross is placed in a silver case at its centre, surrounded by the relics of Hungarian saints or other saints associated with Hungary in the twists of the leaf ornaments.
Due to the international nature of the event, a detail of the English logo of the IEC features in the centre of the representation of the cross on the obverse. The lettering ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (HUNGARY) is inscribed in a semi-circular legend on the edge of the obverse. The denominations ‘10000’ and ‘2000’ feature at the bottom, on the left of the leg of the cross, with the inscription ‘FORINT’ placed on the right. The mint year ‘2021’ and the mint mark ‘BP.’ are inscribed in two lines below each other on the leg of the cross.
Obverse of the ‘52nd International Eucharistic Congress’ commemorative coins
 Silver collector coin |
 Non-ferrous metal collector coin |
The reverse of the commemorative coins bears a representation of the monstrance, made for the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, as a central motif. Beams of light pointing from the monstrance towards the edge of the reverse feature as a symbol of emanating light. Groups of statues at Heroes’ Square, arranged in two semi-circles, emerge in the background.
The inscription at the top of the coin reads ‘52. NEMZETKÖZI EUCHARISZTIKUS KONGRESSZUS’ (52nd International Eucharistic Congress), with the biblical motto of the world event: ‘MINDEN FORRÁSOM BELŐLED FAKAD’ (All my springs are in you; Psalms, 87:7) inscribed at the bottom.
Reverse of the ‘52nd International Eucharistic Congress’ commemorative coins
 Silver collector coin |
 Non-ferrous metal collector coin |
Both commemorative coins are 38.61 mm in diameter and they have a reeded edge. The commemorative coin with a face vallue of HUF 10,000 is struck in .925 fine silver and it weighs 31.46 grams. The non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 2,000 is minted from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (15%) and it weighs 30.8 grams. The mintage limit of the silver commemorative coins is 5,000 pieces in proof-like finish and that of the non-ferrous metal is 7,000 pieces in BU finish.
In order to promote the value transferring and educational role of the commemorative coins as widely as possible, the ‘52nd International Eucharistic Congress’ silver and non-ferrous commemorative coins will be available for purchase at their face value for three months and one year, respectively, in the coin shop of the Hungarian Mint, the producer and distributor of the coins (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street), and in its webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) from 1 September 2021, as stocks last.
In view of the importance of the world event, the MNB also issued 2 million pieces of the commemorative version of the HUF 50 circulation coin on the occasion of the ‘52nd International Eucharistic Congress’. In terms of technical parameters, the new HUF 50 coin is identical to the HUF 50 coins in circulation. Its reverse is the same as that of the HUF 50 coins currently in circulation. On its obverse, however, the usual saker falcon has been replaced by a detail of the logo of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in the centre. The inscription below the logo arranged in three lines below each other reads ‘NEMZETKÖZI EUCHARISZTIKUS KONGRESSZUS’ (International Eucharistic Congress). On the right, the year ‘2020’, i.e. the year in which the world event was originally planned to be held, and the inscription ‘BUDAPEST’, alluding to the venue of the Congress, are shown in two lines arranged below each other. The inscription ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’, bordered by a circular line on the left side of the top, features inside a string of pearls on the edge of the obverse. The mint year ‘2021’ is shown at the bottom, enclosed by two dots.
Commemorative version of the ‘52nd International Eucharistic Congress’ circulation coin issued in honour of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress
 Obverse |
 Reverse |
The commemorative version of the new 50 forint circulation coin will be brought into use for individuals in domestic cash payments, during everyday shopping. The coins will be available for exchange for three months from the date of issue in the coin shop of the Hungarian Mint at 7 Báthory street and in the MNB’s retail cash office at 1 Kiss Ernő street, Budapest.
The first-day (BU) mint of the commemorative version of the 50 forint circulation coin will be available for purchase in decorative packaging via the sales channels of the Hungarian Mint.