26 November 2021
In the Imre Kertész Institute, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a collector coin with a name value of 10,000 forints and its non-ferrous metal version of 2,000 forints to honour the 100th anniversary of the birth of János Pilinszky, one of the most exceptional 20th century Hungarian poets. The collector coins were designed by sculptor Balázs Pelcz.
The Baumgarten, Attila József and Kossuth prize winner Hungarian poet is a member of the fourth generation, aka the New Moon, of the literary periodical, Nyugat. His experiences in concentration camps, Christian existentialism, subjective poetry and his own Catholic faith affected his poetry. He also wrote lyrical, epic pieces as well as dramatic plays in his life. He uses a language in his works which sounds passion bordering on agony. In his first volumes, through a personal tone of desire, love, sinfulness and threat, he draws the reader into the comprehensive pattern around the world. János Pilinszky wrote such famous pieces as the Apokrif, the Ravensbrücki passió (Passion of Ravensbrück), the Négysoros (Four Liner) – the latter being his most known epigram.
To honour the 100th anniversary of the birth of János Pilinszky, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing a silver collector coin with a face value of 10,000 forints and its non-ferrous metal version of 2,000 forints today.
On the obverse, the representation of a naked tree is seen on a grassland worn by wind with the rising sun in the background, which resembles an enlarged iris and pupil of a wide open eye. The design was inspired by the highlighted motif in János Pilinszky’s poem titled Apokrif. In addition, the compulsory design elements of collector coins are featured on the obverse: on the edge, in an upper circular legend the inscription ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (Hungary), next to it, separated by a dot the denominations ‘10,000’, and ‘2,000’ and the lettering ‘FORINT’, on the left the mint mark ‘BP.’, and on the right the mint year ‘2021’.
On the reverse, the portrait of János Pilinszky is seen from a side view, displaying the poet leaning against a tree deep in thoughts, exhibiting a melancholic demeanour. The representation was inspired by the emblematic photo taken by András Szebeni. On the right of the coin, Pilinszky’s signature is placed, below the years ‘1921-1981’ referring to the birth and the death of the poet. The master mark of coin designer, sculptor Balázs Pelcz is inserted in the lapel of the coat.
The obverse of the János Pilinszky collector coins
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Silver collector coin |
Non-ferrous metal collector coin |
The reverse of the János Pilinszky collector coins
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Silver collector coin |
Non-ferrous metal collector coin |
Both collector coins are 38.61 mm in diameter. Their edge is reeded. The collector coin with a face value of 10,000 forints 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 produced from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%) and weighs 30.8 grams. The mintage limit of the silver commemorative coins is 4000 pieces in proof-like finish and that of the non-ferrous metal is 4000 pieces in BU finish.
In order to promote the value transferring and educational role collector coins assume, as widely as possible, the ‘Pilinszky János’ silver coins -will be available for purchase at their face value for three months and their non-ferrous commemorative versions for one year in the coin shop of the Hungarian Mint Ltd., the producer and distributor of the coins (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street), and in its webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) from 26 November 2021, while supplies last-.