Description

József Reményi (1887-1977) distinguished himself as a Hungarian sculptor, medalist, and creator of plaques. He initially immersed himself in applied arts, later acquainting himself with the innovative French approach to medal art under the tutelage of Ede Telcs. Additionally, he forged connections with Adolf von Hildebrand. Following his studies in Italy and Germany, Reményi returned to Hungary, where he assumed a teaching position in applied arts and eventually rose to become the artistic director of the State Mint.

In 1903, he crafted his inaugural medal, marking the beginning of a prolific career. By 1912, his talent garnered significant acclaim with a notable display of his works at a modest sculpture exhibition. Alongside Ö. Fülöp Beck and Ede Telcs, Reményi emerged as a trailblazer in Hungarian medal art, elevating the medium to the realm of fine art. His artistic endeavors gained both national and international recognition, with numerous exhibitions showcasing his oeuvre. Renowned for his fusion of modern classicism and Art Nouveau elements, Reményi left an indelible mark on nearly 900 medals and contributed to the design of numerous forint coins.

The collector coin is part of the Europa Coin Programme, also known as the European Silver Programme, or the Eurostar Programme. It is an initiative dedicated to the issuance of collector-oriented legal tender coins in precious metals to celebrate European identity. The issuing authorities of EU member countries voluntarily contribute coins to the Europa Coin Programme. Multiple countries have participated in the programme, beginning in 2004. Some coins are denominated in euro, others are denominated in other currencies.

Engraver: Mihály Fritz