Coins of the Hungarian forint

Hungarian forint coins (Hungarian: forint érmék) are part of the physical form of current Hungarian currency, the Hungarian forint. Modern forint coins (this name is used to distinguish them from pre-20th century forint coinage) have been struck since 1946 and reflect the changes of post-World War II Hungarian history.

2nd Republic issues (1946-1948)

After the trauma of the Second World War and the hyperinflation of the pengő the Hungarian government had to face the problems of introducing a new currency. In the case of coins this meant that they had to express stability and raise confidence in the people toward the new money. The first coins minted in 1946 were made of copper alloys in the case of the fillér coins and aluminium in the case of the 1 & 2 forint coins. Although the forint was based on gold standard, only silver coins were minted in the first 2 years: 5 forint coins made of good quality silver were put into circulation. However, the government fear of hoarding these coins convinced the national bank to lower the mass and quality of silver used for the 1947 strike. Finally, no silver 5 forint coins were minted for general circulation after 1947. The 5 & 50 fillér coins were first minted in 1948 and were made of aluminium.

Commemorative coins appeared early, the first being a series of 3 coins in 1948 to commemorate the centennial of the 1848 revolution.

2nd Republic issues - regular
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting issue withdrawal lapse
2 f 17.0 mm 1.7 mm 3.0 g Brass
85% copper
15% zinc		 Smooth "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ" 1, year of minting, "Kossuth" coat of arms Value, mintmark 1946 1 November 1946 30 June 1977 31 December 1977
5 f 17.0 mm 1.4 mm 0.6 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG" 2, year of minting, young female model Value, mintmark 1948 30 January 1948 30 September 1992 31 December 1993
10 f 19.1 mm 1.5 mm 3.0 g Aluminium bronze
92% copper
8% aluminium		 Milled "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ", year of minting, Dove carrying an olive branch Value, mintmark 1946 1 November 1946 30 June 1977 31 December 1977
20 f 21.0 mm 1.6 mm 4.0 g "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ", year of minting, 3 ears of wheat
50 f 22.0 mm 1.6 mm 1.4 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, man sitting on an anvil with a hammer Value, mintmark 1948 5 May 1948 30 June 1972 30 June 1973
1 Ft 23.7 mm 1.6 mm 1.5 g Milled "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ", mintmark, "Kossuth" coat of arms Value, year of minting 1946 1 November 1946 31 August 1951 31 March 1952
2 Ft 28.0 mm 2.0 mm 2.8 g "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, "Kossuth" coat of arms 31 December 1951 31 December 1952
5 Ft 32.0 mm 2.9 mm 20.0 g 835‰ silver "MUNKA A NEMZETI JÓLÉT ALAPJA" 3 "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, year of minting, value, "Kossuth" coat of arms "1802-1894 KOSSUTH", Lajos Kossuth 30 June 1977 31 December 1977
5 Ft 1.9 mm 12.0 g 500‰ silver "M Á P V" 4 and ornaments 1947 19 May 1947
2nd Republic issues - circulating commemorative
5 Ft 32.0 mm 1.9 mm 12.0 g 500‰ silver "ESKÜSZÜNK ESKÜSZÜNK" 5 "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", value, year of minting, mintmark "PETŐFI SÁNDOR 1848-49", Sándor Petőfi 1948 1 May 1948 30 June 1977 31 December 1977
10 Ft 36.0 mm 2.5 mm 20.0 g "A LEGNAGYOBB MAGYAR EMLÉKÉRE" 6 "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", value, year of minting, mintmark "SZÉCHENYI ISTVÁN 1848-49", István Széchenyi
20 Ft 40.0 mm 2.8 mm 28.0 g Ornament "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", value, year of minting, mintmark, "Kossuth" coat of arms "TÁNCSICS MIHÁLY 1848", Mihály Táncsics
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

People's Republic issues (1949-1989)

In 1949 the communist party took power in every field of politics and economy. The country's name was changed to Hungarian People's Republic (Magyar Népköztársaság) which replaced the former name on the coins. The Kossuth's coat of arms was replaced with the Rákosi's one (see: coat of arms of Hungary). The 2, 10 and 20 fillér coins were made of aluminium after 1950.

As a consequence of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 the coat of arms was changed again, this version was used from 1957 until 1989.

People's Republic issues - regular
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting issue withdrawal lapse
2 f 18.0 mm 1.1 mm 0.65 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG" 7, year of minting Value, mintmark 1950 27 March 1950 30 September 1992 31 December 1993
5 f 17.0 mm 1.4 mm 0.6 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, young female model 1953 31 March 1953
10 f 19.1 mm 1.4 mm 0.85 g Aluminium Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Dove carrying an olive branch 1950 15 December 1950 30 September 1996 31 December 1997
10 f 18.5 mm 1.2 mm 0.6 g 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 Smooth 1967 12 May 1967
20 f 21.0 mm 1.6 mm 1.25 g Aluminium "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, 3 ears of wheat 1953 31 March 1953
20 f 20.4 mm 1.4 mm 0.9 g 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 Milled 1967 12 May 1967
50 f 22.0 mm 1.6 mm 1.4 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, man sitting on an anvil with a hammer 1953 31 March 1953 30 June 1972 30 June 1973
50 f 21.5 mm 1.2 g 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", Erzsébet Bridge Value, year of minting, mintmark 1967 12 May 1967 30 September 1999 30 September 2000
1 Ft 23.7 mm 1.6 mm 1.5 g Aluminium Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, "Rákosi" coat of arms Value, mintmark 1949 15 November 1949 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
1 Ft "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1957 10 October 1957
1 Ft 22.8 mm 1.8 mm 1.4 g 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 1967 12 May 1967
2 Ft 25.0 mm 1.4 mm 5.0 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Ornaments "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, "Rákosi" coat of arms 1950 20 January 1950 30 June 1971 30 June 1972
2 Ft "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1957 10 October 1957
2 Ft 58% copper
18% nickel
24% zinc		 1962 9 December 1962
2 Ft 22.4 mm 1.6 mm 4.44 g Brass
72% copper
28% zinc		 Smooth "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", "Kádár" coat of arms Value, year of minting, mintmark 1970 1 July 1970 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
5 Ft 27.5 mm 1.7 mm 7.4 g 60% copper
21% nickel
19% zinc		 Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, year of minting, value, "Kádár" coat of arms "1802-1894 KOSSUTH", Lajos Kossuth 1967 12 May 1967 30 June 1972 30 June 1973
5 Ft 24.3 mm 1.7 mm 5.73 g Nickel "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG" "KOSSUTH", Lajos Kossuth Value, mintmark, year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1971 2 August 1971 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
5 Ft 23.4 mm 1.6 mm 5.0 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 1983 18 April 1983
10 Ft 28.0 mm 1.9 mm 8.83 g Nickel Ornaments "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, the Liberty Statue in Budapest Value, year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1971 1 June 1971 31 March 1987 31 December 1988
10 Ft 25.4 mm 1.7 mm 6.1 g 92% copper
6% aluminium
2% nickel		 Ornaments "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", mintmark, the Liberty Statue in Budapest Value, year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1983 18 April 1983 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
20 Ft 26.8 mm 1.8 mm 7.06 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", György Dózsa Value, year of minting, mintmark, "Kádár" coat of arms 1982 18 April 1983 30 June 1995 31 December 1995
People's Republic issues - circulating commemorative
20 f 20.4 mm 1.4 mm 0.9 g 96% Aluminium
4% Magnesium		 Milled "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, 3 ears of wheat, TERMELJ TÖBB ÉLELMET[1] Value, mintmark 1983 28 March 1983 Current[2]
5 Ft 23.4 mm 1.6 mm 5.0 g 75% Copper
25% Nickel		 MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG, corncob (Zea mays), logo of FAO Value, mintmark, year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms
10 Ft 28.0 mm 1.9 mm 8.83 g 100% Nickel Ornaments MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG, mintmark, the Liberty Statue in Budapest Value, year of minting, logo of FAO 1981 30 April 1981
10 Ft MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG, mintmark, man cutting bread, logo of FAO Value, year of minting, "Kádár" coat of arms 1983 28 March 1983
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

3rd Republic issues (1989-2011)

In 1992, a new series of coins was introduced with denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Forint . Production of the 2 and 5 fillér ceased in 1992, with all fillér coins withdrawn from circulation by 1999. From 1996, a bimetallic 100 Forint coin was minted to replace the 1992 version, since the latter was considered to be "too big and ugly" by many, and could be easily mistaken with the 20 Forint coin. The 200 Forint coin was made of .500 fine silver. From 1994, mass minting of the 200 Forint coin was stopped, since the price of the metal was getting higher than the face value of the coin. However, small issues for collector purposes were minted until 1998, when both the 1992 type 100 Forint and the 200 Forint coins were withdrawn from circulation.

The 1 and 2 Forint coins were withdrawn from circulation on March 1, 2008. This was announced by the Hungarian National Bank in September 2007, pointing out that the cost of minting them is too high, approximately 4 times their face value. When paying with cash, the total is to be rounded to 5 Forint. The 200 forint notes have been replaced with a new 200 forint coin in 2009.[3] The Chain Bridge was chosen in an internet poll between October 13 and October 26, 2008 to be on the coin.[4] The coin entered circulation on 15 June 2009.

Reportedly, the 1 Forint coin was illegally exported to Canada in significant amounts, as the tiny coin could be used in place of genuine tokens for entry at the underground railway's automatic gates. This was a highly profitable venture that lasted until the machines were reprogrammed. The 50 Forint coin is confused with the UK 50 pence coin by some vending machines in the UK.

3rd Republic issues - regular
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting issue withdrawal lapse
2 f 18.0 mm 1.1 mm 0.65 g Aluminium Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting Value, mintmark 1990 1 April 1990 30 September 1992 31 December 1993
5 f 17.0 mm 1.4 mm 0.6 g "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, young female model
10 f 18.5 mm 1.2 mm 96% aluminium
4% magnesium		 "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Dove carrying an olive branch 30 September 1996 31 December 1997
20 f 20.4 mm 1.4 mm 0.9 g Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, 3 ears of wheat
50 f 21.5 mm 1.6 mm 1.2 g Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", Erzsébet Bridge Value, year of minting, mintmark 30 September 1999 30 September 2000
1 Ft 16.3 mm 1.1 mm 2.05 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 1992 29 March 1993 1 March 2008 1 March 2013
2 Ft 19.2 mm 1.5 mm 3.1 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Hungarian crocus (Colchicum hungaricum) Value, mintmark 1992 29 March 1993 1 March 2008 1 March 2013
5 Ft 21.2 mm 1.3 mm 4.2 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, great egret (Egretta alba) Value, mintmark 1992 21 June 1993 Current
10 Ft 24.8 mm 1.3 mm 6.1 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Alternately smooth and milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 1992 21 June 1993 Current
20 Ft 26.3 mm 1.9 mm 6.9 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, stool iris (Iris aphylla) Value, mintmark 1992 29 March 1993 Current
50 Ft 27.4 mm 1.7 mm 7.7 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Smooth "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, sitting saker falcon (Falco cherrug) Value, mintmark 1992 21 June 1993 Current
100 Ft 29.2 mm 1.9 mm 9.4 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Ornaments "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 1992 21 June 1993 31 December 1998 31 December 1999
100 Ft 23.8 mm 2.2 mm 8 g Steel
Ring: Ni plated
Center: 75% Cu
25% Zn plated		 Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 1996 21 October 1996 Current
200 Ft 32 mm 1.7 mm 12 g 500‰ silver Milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, value, mintmark, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, coat of arms The building of the Hungarian National Bank, signatures of its governor and four vice-governors 1992 1 December 1992 3 April 1998 3 April 1999
200 Ft Portrait of Ferenc Deák 1994 29 April 1994
200 Ft 28.3 mm 2.0 mm 9.0 g Bimetallic Interrupted milled "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG", year of minting, Széchenyi Chain Bridge Value, mintmark 2009 15 June 2009 Current
3rd Republic - Circulating commemorative
10 Ft 24.8 mm 1.3 mm 6.1 g cupronickel 75% copper
25% nickel		 Alternately smooth and milled MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, JÓZSEF ATTILA, 1905 1937, Attila József, year of minting Value, mintmark 2005 11 April 2005 Current
20 Ft 26.3 mm 1.9 mm 6.9 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Milled MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, DEÁK FERENC, 1803 1876, Ferenc Deák, year of minting 2003 8 April 2003
50 Ft 27.4 mm 1.7 mm 7.7 g cupronickel 75% copper
25% nickel		 Smooth MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, AZ EURÓPAI UNIÓ TAGJA,[5] coat of arms, a circle of stars representing the European Union with minting year inside 2004 30 April 2004
50 Ft MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, 15 ÉVES A NEMZETKÖZI GYERMEKMENTŐ SZOLGÁLAT,[6] logo of the International Children's Safety Service, year of minting 2005 9 October 2005
50 Ft MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, 125 ÉV,[7] logo of the Hungarian Red Cross, year of minting 2006 19 September 2006
50 Ft MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, 1956, the Parliament with the hollow flag of the 1956 revolution, year of minting 20 September 2006
50 Ft MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, 50 ÉVES A RÓMAI SZERZŐDÉS,[8] EURÓPA, the Treaty of Rome, paving design of Piazza Del Campidoglio in Rome, year of minting 2007 25 March 2007
100 Ft 23,8 mm 2,2 mm 8,0 g 100% Steel
Ring: Nickel plated
Center: 75% Copper
25% Zinc plated		 Milled MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, KOSSUTH, 1802-1894, Lajos Kossuth, year of minting 2002 1 February 2002
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

"Hungary" issues (2012-)

According to Hungary's new constitution, effective as of 1 January 2012, the country's official name changes from "Magyar Köztársaság" (Republic of Hungary) to "Magyarország" (Hungary). Although Hungary is still a republic, this does not appear anymore on its coinage: from 2012 Hungarian legal tender will bear the country's new official name, "Magyarország". Previously struck coins will remain legal tender.

5, 10 and 20 Forint coins are expected to appear in everyday circulation in 2012, with the rest of denominations following later, fulfilling the needs of Hungary's cash circulation. The official 2012 boxed set became available for collectors on 6 January 2012.

"Hungary" issues - regular
Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse first minting issue withdrawal lapse
5 Ft 21.2 mm 1.3 mm 4.2 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Smooth "MAGYARORSZÁG", year of minting, great egret (Egretta alba) Value, mintmark 2012 6 January 2012 Current
10 Ft 24.8 mm 1.3 mm 6.1 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Alternately smooth and milled "MAGYARORSZÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 2012 6 January 2012 Current
20 Ft 26.3 mm 1.9 mm 6.9 g 75% copper
21% zinc
4% nickel		 Milled "MAGYARORSZÁG", year of minting, stool iris (Iris aphylla) Value, mintmark 2012 6 January 2012 Current
50 Ft 27.4 mm 1.7 mm 7.7 g Cupronickel
75% copper
25% nickel		 Smooth "MAGYARORSZÁG", year of minting, sitting saker falcon (Falco cherrug) Value, mintmark 2012 6 January 2012 Current
100 Ft 23.8 mm 2.2 mm 8 g Steel
Ring: Ni plated
Center: 75% Cu
25% Zn plated		 Milled "MAGYARORSZÁG", year of minting, coat of arms Value, mintmark 2012 6 January 2012 Current
200 Ft 28.3 mm 2.0 mm 9.0 g Bimetallic Interrupted milled "MAGYARORSZÁG", year of minting, Széchenyi Chain Bridge Value, mintmark 2012 6 January 2012 Current
"Hungary" issues - commemorative
3000 Ft 34 mm 20 g 925‰ silver Milled MAGYARORSZÁG, mintmark, year of minting, value, Imre Madách MADÁCH IMRE, engraver's mark, Adam and Eve standing on the Earth globe, AZ EMBER TRAGÉDIÁJA[9] 2012 12 January 2012 Current
5000 Ft 38.61 mm 31.46 g 925‰ silver MAGYARORSZÁG, value, mintmark, year of minting, female figure by József Reményi REMÉNYI JÓZSEF - 1887 - 1977, József Reményi, engraver's initials, "Euro-star" identifying the coin as part of the "Europe Series" 23 January 2012
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Remarks

  1. "MAGYAR ÁLLAMI VÁLTÓPÉNZ" = "Hungarian state token coin" - váltópénz literally means "small change"; here it stands to express that the metal of which the coin is made is worth less than the face value of the coin itself
  2. "MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG" = "Hungarian Republic"
  3. "MUNKA A NEMZETI JÓLÉT ALAPJA" = "Labour is the ground of national welfare"
  4. "M Á P V" = "Magyar Állami Pénzverde" = "Hungarian State Mint"
  5. "ESKÜSZÜNK ESKÜSZÜNK" = "We vow, we vow" (from the refrain of the Nemzeti dal by Sándor Petőfi)
  6. "A LEGNAGYOBB MAGYAR EMLÉKÉRE" = "To commemorate the greatest Hungarian" (Lajos Kossuth designated István Széchenyi as such)
  7. "MAGYAR NÉPKÖZTÁRSASÁG" = "Hungarian People's Republic"

References

  1. ↑ Grow more food
  2. ↑ Despite these coins' resemblance to regular issues, MNB (central bank of Hungary) has not officially withdrawn any commemorative coins issued after 1948.
  3. ↑ Coins to replace 200 forint banknotes, MNB press release, June 23, 2008
  4. ↑ http://www.forint.hu/Engine.aspx (in Hungarian)
  5. ↑ A member of the European Union
  6. ↑ 15th anniversary of the International Children's Safety Service
  7. ↑ 125 years
  8. ↑ 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome
  9. ↑ "The Tragedy of Man", a play written by Imre Madách"

Further reading

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