Obverse. Photo © Monetarium Numizmatika
  • 500 Forint 1992, KM# 690, Hungary, 30th Anniversary of Launching the Telstar 1
  • 500 Forint 1992, KM# 690, Hungary, 30th Anniversary of Launching the Telstar 1
Description

Telstar 1, launched by NASA on July 10, 1962, facilitated the first live television broadcast between the US and Europe. Despite its premature failure after 7 months due to the Starfish Prime nuclear test, it remains in orbit. Arthur C. Clarke's visionary concept of satellite communication, dating back to 1945, inspired the development of Telstar 1. This marked a significant advancement during the Cold War, following the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviets. Prior attempts, such as SCORE in 1958, faced challenges, including limited orbit duration and signal strength. Telstar 1, with a diameter of 88 centimeters and weighing 77 kilograms, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station atop a Delta rocket.

Engraver: György Bognár

Obverse

Depicts a stylized depiction of Earth's northern hemisphere with the Telstar 1 telecommunications satellite in orbit above. Below is a compass rose.

TELSTAR 1 1962

Reverse

Depicts slightly to the left of the center the coat of arms of the Republic of Hungary, the country name above, the denomination, issue year and the mintmark (BP) on the right, and the engraver's name on the left.

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
1992
BP.
BOGNÁR

Edge

500 Forint

Third Republic

30th Anniversary of Launching the Telstar 1

KM# 690 Schön# 205 Adamo# EM127
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 31.46 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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