Collector coin to mark the centenary of the University of Szeged

To honour the 100 years of the foundation of the University of Szeged, 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 at the University of Szeged. Simultaneously, in representation of  the two institutions Madam Chancellor Judit Fendler and Deputy Governor Csaba Kandrács will conclude a 3-year partnership agreement.

The University of Szeged is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in Hungary. It became a research university in 2010 and a priority institution of higher education in 2013, and it is listed as the best university in Hungary by the British Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

The beginnings in its history of ideas were marked by the foundation of the University of Kolozsvár in 1581, 440 years ago. In 1921, due to the Treaty of Trianon, the University was moved to Szeged. This moment indicates the beginning of higher education in Szeged. The University’s significance in the history of science is signalled by the domestic and international magnitude of its staff of professors. Albert Szent-Györgyi stands out of its professors who was awarded the Nobel prize in 1937 for his research at the University.

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 named ‘Szegedi Tudományegyetem’. The silver and non-ferrous metal coins have the same design, the only difference being the denominations.

On the obverse, the representation of the façade of the University’s dean office building is featured with the fountain at Dugonics square in the foreground. On the edge of the obverse, at the top, in a semi-circular legend the lettering ‘100 ÉVES A SZEGEDI FELSŐOKTATÁS’ (100 years of higher education in Szeged) refers to the occasion of the issuance. At the bottom, following the edge of the fountain the lettering ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (Hungary) is found. Above the representation of the building, on the left, the mint year ‘2021’, on the right, the mint mark ‘BP.’, and in the middle the denomination ‘10,000’ and the abbreviation ‘Ft’ are placed. Inserted in the central motif, on the right, the master mark of applied artist Gábor Kereszthury is seen, who designed the coin.

In the centre of the composition on the reverse, the portrait of the young Nobel-prize winner Hungarian scientist, Albert Szent-Györgyi is shown, and to the left the researcher’s signature is seen. On the edge of the coin, in an upper circular legend the lettering ‘SZEGEDI TUDOMÁNYEGYETEM’ (University of Szeged) is positioned; at the bottom, slightly to the right, the inscription ‘SZENT-GYÖRGYI ALBERT EGYETEME’ (The University of Albert Szent-Györgyi) complements the design.

The obverse of the Cziffra György collector coins

The reverse of the Cziffra György 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. 5,000 pieces can be made of the silver collector coin in proof finish and 5,000 pieces of the non-ferrous version in BU finish.

In order to promote the value transferring and educational role collector coins have, as widely as possible, the ‘Szegedi Tudományegyetem’ 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, the producer and distributor of the coins (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street), and in its webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) from 12 November 2021, while supplies last.

Simultaneously with the issuance, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank and the University of Szeged will sign a 3-year strategic partnership agreement. On a strategic level, the partnership between the two institutions aims to improve and spread financial literacy and to enhance financial awareness and national competitiveness. The partnership is built on the Magyar Nemzeti Bank’s social responsibility and public awareness programme designed to improve competitiveness. This is coupled with an invaluable collection of knowledge available for the University of Szeged facilitating a collective development resulting from channelling the Magyar Nemzeti Bank’s professional skills.