In consideration of the result of the public consultation with regards to themes, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank compiled its collector coin issuance programme for 2023. The Bank plans to issue collector coins in 14 themes in 2023. Eight collector coin series, launched in previous years, will be continued. The programme will likely include one gold, eight silver and five separate non-ferrous metal collector coins, but to promote the coins' value transferring role as widely as possible, non-ferrous versions will accompany the coins issued in precious metal finish, consistent with the practice of recent years.
Taking into account of the votes, comments and recommendations during the public consultation, the MNB developed its collector coin issuance programme for 2023. Collector coins are expected to be issued in 14 themes. The Bank plans to continue eight popular coin series launched earlier: As an addition to the series “Országépítő királyok Árpád-dinasztiájából” featuring sovereigns from the Árpád dynasty seeking to establish the Hungarian state, a collector coin will be issued to honour Andrew I of Hungary. Presenting the location of one of the most significant battles in the 1848–49 Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence, the Military Memorial Park in Pákozd will be featured on a non-ferrous metal collector coin in bronze coated finish as the 10th piece of the series presenting national memorial sites to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Revolution.
Additionally, such popular series will be continued as the non-ferrous metal collector coin series presenting Hungarian shepherd and hunting dogs, the Hungarian folk tales animated series and inventors of Hungarian descent and their inventions. Initially planned as a series comprised of seven pieces, a new addition will be made to the “Nemzeti Hauszmann Program” (National Hauszmann Programme) collector coin series in 2023. A new collector coin to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Hortobágy National Park, will also be added to the series presenting national parks in Hungary. The MNB will issue two collector coins to honour two additional scientists, Pál Erdős and Raoul Bott, thereby enriching the series presenting Wolf Prize winner mathematicians of Hungarian descent, launched in 2022.
By issuing collector coins the MNB intends to celebrate such significant anniversaries in cultural history and literature as the 300th anniversary of the National Archives of Hungary, the 200th anniversary of the composition of the “Himnusz” (Anthem) and the 250th anniversary of Mihály Csokonai Vitéz’s birth, one of the most notable poets in the Hungarian Enlightenment. To highlight the 200th anniversary of Sándor Petőfi’s birth, who was one of the most known and exceptional figures in Hugarian poetry, the Bank plans to issue collector coins that would also pay homage to the 175th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence in 1848-1849. Collector coins are expected to be issued on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the National Ambulance Service.
The 2023 Programme will also be augmented by collector coins in special shapes and sizes, as rectangular coins are expected to be released in addition to the usual round coins. The MNB plans to issue special vertical rectangular collector coins on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Hortobágy National Park, coins in the shape of a square to mark the 120th anniversary of John von Neumann. The MNB plans to feature the National Riding Hall on a hexagonal coin as the second addition to the series “Nemzeti Hauszmann Program” (National Hauszmann Programme). In next year’s issuance programme, the collector coins to highlight the 200th anniversary of Sándor Petőfi’s birth, and the 175th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence in 1848-1849, may be considered special with regards to their diameter which will be 52.50 mm.
The details of the MNB’s collector coin programme for 2023 are shown in the table below:
In its Collector Coin Issuance Programme for 2023, the MNB still respects the principle, created in 2014, that a non-ferrous metal version of all precious metal coins will also be issued at a lower face value. This design will not only expand choice, but it will also help the promotion of the collector coins as well as their educational role due to their lower price more effectively.
The MNB reserves the right to change any aspects of the programme. Final data will be determined by the decrees of the Governor published in the Hungarian Official Journal (Magyar Közlöny).