29 September 2022
The Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a collector coin of 2,000 forints named ‘Király kis Miklós’ (King Little Cause) on Elek Benedek’s birthday, on the day of Hungarian folk tales. This collector coin is the second piece of the seven-piece non-ferrous metal collector coin series, launched last year, whose dedicated objective is to present the values of Hungarian folk tales, evoking the visual design of the animated series. The collector coin was designed by applied artist, Fanni Vékony. The issuance ceremony will be held in the Hungarian Money Museum and Visitor Centre as part of the ‘Kutatók Éjszakája’ (Researchers’ Night) programme series.
The production of the Hungarian folk tales animated series began in 1977 at the Pannónia Film Studio in Kecskemét. With its 100 episodes and 12.5 hours of animated material, the series introduces the viewer to the world of folk tales so authentically that on 15 October 2020, the entire series was included in the Collection of Hungarikums, and within that, our cultural heritage, with the following justification: ‘The unique visual, musical realm and narrative of Hungarian folk tales make this animated series exceptional. The kindness, humour, finesse and mischief of folk tales faithfully portray the soul, feelings and true character of our nation. In addition, the episodes of the Hungarian Folk Tales animated series, which is widely acclaimed both within and outside our borders, express eternal truths and fundamental values that render it worthy of being part of the Collection of Hungarikums.’
The Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing the ‘Király kis Miklós‘ collector coin as the second piece in a coins series presenting the Hungarian folk tales animated series. The collector coin, which evokes the key characters of the conflict in the fairy tales and the world of Hungarian mythologies, fits in with the visual imagery of the animated series. Its primary role is the authentic representation of the values of Hungarian folk tales and capturing folk tale traditions.
The stylized folk art floral motifs and dove design running alongside the left side of the obverse of the collector coin follow the theme design of the Hungarian folk tales animated series, inspired by the first lines of János Arany's The Legend of the Wondrous Hunt: ‘From bough to bough the warbler flies / In song the voice to voice replies’. The theme design is also evoked by the characteristic braided lettering used by the designer to indicate the obligatory elements of collector coins (the inscription ‘Magyarország’ (Hungary) and the denomination ‘2000 forint’, in two lines, the mint year ‘2022’ and the mint mark ‘BP.’ in two lines). The sun in the top centre, referring to Hungarian mythology, the moon on the right and the 9 stars surrounding it, complete the obverse coin design. The celestial bodies also play a prominent role in the ‘Király kis Miklós’ folk tale, since the two key characters in the tale fight over them.
The reverse features the characters of the folk tale ‘Király kis MIklós’ fighting each other: the half-length portrait of the prince is surmounted by a portrait of a three-headed, fire-breathing dragon. Below the depiction of the dragon, on the right, the inscription ‘Király kis Miklós’ is seen in two lines, in handwritten typeface making a reference to the theme design. At the bottom, to the right of the figure of the prince, the master mark of applied artist Fanni Vékony, designer of the coin, is placed at the bottom.
The ‘Király kis Miklós’ collector coin
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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 and it is 34 mm in diameter and has a finely reeded edge. On the edge the inscription ‘MAGYAR NÉPMESÉK RAJZFILMSOROZAT ???’ (Hungarian Folk Tales animated series) is repeated. The collector coins are issued in limited quantities: a total of 20,000 coins will be produced in proof-like finish.
To promote the collector coins' value transferring and educational role as widely as possible the ‘Király kis Miklós’ collector coin is available for purchase for one year from 30 September 2022, at their face value while stocks last, at the coin shop of Hungarian Mint Ltd., the producer and the distributor of the coins, (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street), in its webshop on the company’s website (https://www.penzvero.hu/) and in the Hungarian Money Museum and Visitor Centre’s gift shop.