Collector coin to honour the most renowned Hungarian world traveller

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a silver collector coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 and its non-ferrous metal version of HUF 2,000 to mark the 235th anniversary of the birth of Maurice Benyovszky, the great Hungarian explorer of the 18th century. The collector coins were designed by applied artist Gábor Kereszthury. 

Maurice Benyovszky (1741-1786) is one of the greatest travellers and explorers of the world. In his life, he explored four different parts of the world and by virtue of his geographical discoveries he was included in the history of several countries. He is recognised for different achievements including the first account of the geography, ethnography and zoology of the Kamchatka Peninsula as well as the detailed description of Taiwan promoting its publicity in Europe. Benyovszky had exceptional diplomatic relations, he often met with the leading political figures of the 18th century. The time he spent on the island of Madagascar was a decisive part of his life. On the island, he tried to encourage the peoples living in tribal differences to make peace without arms.

In the Benyovszky anniversary year, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a silver collector coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 and its non-ferrous metal version of HUF 2,000. The silver and non-ferrous metal coins have the same design, the only difference being the denominations.

The central motif of the obverse features a frigate sailing on the raging sea referring to his main means of travel in the 18th century. In the background, there is a section of a schematic representation of a compass referring to the globe trotter’s travels. On the edge of the coin, in a semi-circular upper legend, the compulsory design elements of collector coins: starting slightly to the right from the horizontal centre line the mint year ‘2021’, the mint mark ‘BP.’ and the inscription ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (Hungary) as well as after a stylised turn symbol the denominations ‘10,000’ and ‘2,000’ and the letters ‘FT’.

In the centre of the reverse, the portrait of Count Maurice Benyovszky wearing a chest piece is found. In the background, a section of a map is seen displaying the years and itineraries of Benyovszky’s travels including Madagascar. To the right of the portrait, horizontally, the years of the world traveller’s birth and death, ‘1741-1786’ is placed. On the edge of the collector coin, in an upper semi-circular legend, ‘GRÓF BENYOVSZKY MÓRIC’ (Count Maurice Benyovszky) is featured, at the bottom in the middle, the master mark of coin designer Kereszthury Gábor is seen inserted into the representation of the chest piece.

The obverse of the Maurice Benyovszky collector coins

The reverse of the Maurice Benyovszky collector coins

Both collector coins are 38.61 mm in diameter. Their edge is reeded. The silver coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 is struck in .925 fine silver and 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. 10,000 pieces can be made of the silver collector coin in proof finish and 10,000 pieces of the non-ferrous version in BU finish.

In order to promote the value transferring and educational role of the commemorative coins as widely as possible, the ‘Benyovszky Móric’ 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 web shop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) from 20 September 2021, as stocks last.