A new addition to the ‘National Hauszmann Programme’ collector coin series

16 August 2024

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing a special, non-ferrous metal hexagonal collector coin named ‘Főőrség’ (Royal Guard) on 20 August 2024. Located in the Hunyadi Court of the Buda Castle, the building was rebuilt in 2020. The collector coin, featuring the former headquarters of the Royal Guard, is the latest addition to the coin series showing the achievements of the National Hauszmann Programme. Unique among the MNB's collector coin issues, the pieces in the series can be fitted together to form a honeycomb structure. The non-ferrous metal collector coin with a face value of 3 000 forints was designed by applied artist Zoltán Endrődy.

The National Hauszmann Programme seeks to restore the Buda Castle District, Hungary's outstanding intellectual and cultural heritage, to its original appearance seen at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as conceived by architect Alajos Hauszmann.

After the election of Miklós Horthy as Governor and the dethronement of the Habsburg dynasty, the Hungarian Royal Guard was created, which preserved the traditions of earlier guards and carried out its daily duties in the Buda Castle in line with the standards of the period. The mandate of the new guard was extended to include the protection of Governor Miklós Horthy and his family members. Between 1853 and 1854, a separate headquarters building was constructed in Buda Castle for the Guard, where the elite soldiers were stationed. It was later demolished in 1901. The new building of the Royal Guard was built in 1903 based on Alajos Hauszmann's plans and decorated with reliefs depicting military victories. The building was damaged in the World War II and was subsequently demolished. The building today was rebuilt in 2020 and is located in the Hunyadi Court of the Buda Castle, housing an exhibition in memory of the former Royal Guard.

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing a collector coin with a face value of 3 000 forints, named ‘Főőrség’, as the third piece in the collector coin series presenting the achievements of the National Hauszmann Programme. The primary role of the series is to raise awareness and offer education, representing the objectives of the renewal of the Buda Castle District, and its pieces do not play a role in cash circulation. The 7-piece series of collector coins, designed to fit together, will feature buildings renovated or rebuilt under the National Hauszmann Programme, as well as other sites in the Castle.

The unique series within the central bank collector coin issues will continue in the future, and the individual pieces will form a honeycomb structure when joined together. The honeycomb structure is characterised by the smallest possible diameter combined with the largest possible surface area, forming a very strong and stable spatial structure. The shape of the coin also conveys a message, drawing attention to the importance of preserving our national values.

The obverse of the ‘Royal Guard’ collector coin shows a curved depiction of two rows of decorative motifs in the central field, which is inspired by the tapestry of the St Stephen's Hall of the Buda Castle. The string of pearls between the two arches separating the rows of decorative motifs is broken in the middle by the denomination '3000' and the inscription 'FORINT'. Below the row of decorative motifs, a detail of the façade of the Buda Castle is seen in the foreground, showing as it appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. At the top, the inscription 'MAGYARORSZÁG’ (HUNGARY) and the mint year '2024' are placed on the edge of the obverse in two rows, while on the left, the mint mark 'BP.' is shown.

The reverse displays a representation of a section of the Royal Guard building rebuilt under the National Hauszmann Programme, in linear style on the left, more model-like in the middle, and three-dimensional on the right. Below the illustration of the building the inscription 'FŐŐRSÉG' is found On the edge of the reverse, the designer's mark of applied artist Zoltán Endrődy on the right, the designer of the coin.

The ‘Főőrség’ collecctor coin

The unique hexagonal collector coin is made from an alloy of copper (89%), aluminium (5%), zinc (5%) and tin (1%) (also known as Nordic gold), weighs 20 grams; the distance between the tips of the two sides is 37.18 mm and the coin has a smooth edge. The commemorative coin can be produced in a quantity of 20,000 pieces using a special proof-like technology.

In order to promote the value transferring role educational role of these collector coins as widely as possible, the ‘Főőrség’ non-ferrous metal collector coin will be available for purchase at its face value for one year 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/) as well as in the gift shops in the Buda Castle District, starting from 21 August 2024.