The Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a non-ferrous metal collector coin named ‘Az égig érő fa’ (Sky-high tree) with a name value of 2000 at the 15th Kecskemét Animation Film Festival. With this new collector coin, a seven-piece non-ferrous metal collector coin series will be launched by the Bank with a dedicated view to presenting the values Hungarian folk tales carry and to evoke the imagery of this animated series. Responsible for the creation of the Hungarian folk tales series, the Kecskemét Animation Filmstudio was founded 50 years ago, and this anniversary offers an opportunity for the coin issuance. The coin was designed by metal designer Boglárka Imrei.
Work commenced on the Hungarian folk tales animated series in 1977. Comprised of 100 parts of 12.5 hour-long footage, introducing viewers into the world of folk tales in a truly authentic manner, the entire series was added to the Collection of Hungarikums on 15 October 2020, and in particular, to the list of Hungary’s cultural heritage with the following reasoning: ‘The exceptional visual and musical realm and the narration in Hungarian folk tales is what makes this animated series unique. The gentleness, humour, shrewdness, mischievousness of folk tales truly depicts our nation’s soul, emotions and authentic character. In addition, renowned within and across our borders, the episodes of the Hungarian folk tales animated series formulate universal truths, basic values which makes it worthy of being added to the Collection Hungarikums.’
The first piece of the coin series presenting the Hungarian folk tales animated series, is the ‘Az égig érő fa’ collector coin. The primary function of the coins issued in this series, is to offer education, to present the values of Hungarian folk tales in an authentic manner; therefore they are not to be used in everyday payments. Their face value serves to preserve the value the coins represent to collectors.
The obverse is based on the theme music of the Hungarian folk tales animated series, which was inspired by the first lines of Arany János’ The legend of the ‘Miraculous hind’: Száll a madár, ágrul ágra, / Száll az ének, szájrul szájra (The lark's aloft from bough to bough, / the song is passed from lip to lip.). On the typical, circular, stylised folk art flower motif, a dove rests. The richly decorated motif is complemented by the compulsory elements of collector coins: in a central position, the lettering ‘Magyarország’ (Hungary) in handwriting, the denomination ‘2000 forint’ and below the flower motif the mint mark ‘BP.’ as well as the mint year ‘2021’.
On the reverse, the half-body portrait of the protagonist in the tale, a swineherd turned prince is found, as he is sitting on a magical horse with the sky-high tree in the background. The coin design is complemented by the lettering ‘Az égig érő fa’ (Sky-high tree) in handwriting, referring to the title of the tale. To the left bottom of the central motif, the metal designer, Boglárka Imrei’s master mark is featured, who designed the coin.
‘Az égig érő fa’ collector coin
 obverse |
 reverse |
The non-ferrous metal collector coin is minted from an alloy of copper (75%), nickel (4%) and zinc (21%). It weighs 16 grams; it is 34 mm in diameter and has a finely reeded edge with the legend ‘MAGYAR NÉPMESÉK RAJZFILMSOROZAT ???’ (Hungarian folk tales animated series) repeated twice. The collector coin is issued in limited edition: a maximum of 15,000 coins can be minted in proof-like finish.
In order to promote the commemorative and educational role of these collector coins as widely as possible, the ‘Az égig érő fa’ collector coin will be available for purchase at its face value for twelve months from the date of issuance, while stocks last , in the coinshop of Hungarian Mint Ltd., the producer and the distributor of the coins (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street) and its webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) starting from 12 August 2020.