Obverse. Photo © Monetarium Numizmatika
  • 500 Forint 1990, KM# 699, Hungary, 200th Anniversary of Birth of Ferenc Kölcsey
  • 500 Forint 1990, KM# 699, Hungary, 200th Anniversary of Birth of Ferenc Kölcsey
Description

Ferenc Kölcsey (1790–1838) was a Hungarian poet, literary critic, orator, and politician, noted for his support of the liberal current in Hungary regarding the politics involving the Austrian Empire. He wrote Himnusz, the national anthem of Hungary in 1823.

Engraver: György Bognár

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Ferenc Kölcsey based on a contemporary painting, along with a quill symbolizing poetry, the first line of the Hungarian National Anthem "God bless the Hungarians..." above, the poet's name, and the dates of his life below.

Isten áldd meg a magyart...
Kölcsey Ferenc 1790-1838

Reverse

Depicts the coat of arms of the Hungarian Republic, followed by the country name and denomination, the mintmark (BP), and the issue year below, the engraver's name on the bottom.

The Hungarian coat of arms, adopted in 1919 and reaffirmed on July 3, 1990, features a vertically divided shield with a rounded base. The left field displays eight red and silver horizontal bars, symbolizing the Árpád dynasty, while the right field depicts three green hills with a golden crown on the center hill and a silver patriarchal cross emerging from it. These elements represent the Danube, Tisza, Dráva, and Száva rivers, and the Tátra, Mátra, and Fátra mountain ranges. Atop the shield rests the Holy Crown of Hungary, also known as the Crown of Saint Stephen, which has been used for coronations since the 12th century. The crown's cross was tilted in the 17th century due to damage, and it has remained in this position since then, symbolizing the enduring history and legitimacy of Hungarian monarchs.

MAGYAR
KÖZTÁRSASÁG
500 FORINT
BP. 1990
BOGNÁR

Edge

500 Forint

Third Republic

200th Anniversary of Birth of Ferenc Kölcsey

KM# 699 Schön# 186 Adamo# EM116
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 28 g
Diameter 40 mm
Thickness 2.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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