Obverse. Photo © Tóth Numizmatika
  • 3000 Forint 2002, KM# 761, Hungary, Hortobágy National Park
  • 3000 Forint 2002, KM# 761, Hungary, Hortobágy National Park
Description

Hortobágy, pronounced, is an 800 km2 national park located in eastern Hungary, renowned for its rich folklore and cultural heritage. Established as Hungary's first national park in 1973 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, Hortobágy is part of the vast Alföld (Great Plain) and is Europe's largest semi-natural grassland. Contrary to previous beliefs attributing its formation to medieval deforestation and river control measures, Hortobágy's alkaline steppe dates back approximately ten thousand years, shaped by the Tisza River and grazing animals during the Ice Age. Recognized for its millennia-long cultural history, scenic beauty, and preservation of traditional pastoralism, the park boasts iconic landmarks like the Nine-holed Bridge and traditional T-shaped sweep wells. Additionally, it serves as a dark sky preserve.

Engraver: Enikő Szöllősy

Obverse

Depicts a detail of the Hortobágy landscape and a Hungarian Grey cattle, the inscription "Hortobágy National Park" below.

The Hortobágy landscape is renowned for its picturesque "puszta," a traditional Hungarian pastoral scene featuring grazing livestock, notably Hungarian Grey cattle, horses, and water buffalo. This region bears the imprint of centuries of human interaction, including traditional animal husbandry practices and agricultural endeavors.

The Hungarian Grey, also referred to as the Hungarian Grey Steppe, is a breed of beef cattle native to Hungary. Belonging to the Podolic cattle group, it is recognized by its distinctive long lyre-shaped horns and pale grey coat. Historically abundant in the Hungarian puszta, it thrives in extensive pasture systems. While facing near-extinction in the twentieth century, efforts have since led to a rebound in its population.

HORTOBÁGYI NEMZETI PARK

Reverse

Depicts a detail of the Hortobágy landscape. Below the landscape, on the left side, the mint mark (BP), on the right side, the engraver's privy mark, and in the center, the denomination and the year of issue arranged in three consecutive horizontal rows. Above, the country name (Hungarian Republic) is readable in consecutive horizontal rows.

MAGYAR
KÖZTÁRSASÁG
BP.
3000
FORINT

Edge

3000 Forint

Third Republic

Hortobágy National Park

KM# 761 Adamo# EM178
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 31.33 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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