Obverse. Photo © Collector Coins
  • 2000 Forint 2016, KM# 903, Hungary, 70th Anniversary of the Forint
  • 2000 Forint 2016, KM# 903, Hungary, 70th Anniversary of the Forint
Description

The currency of Hungary is the forint (symbol: Ft; code: HUF), derived from the city of Florence where gold coins known as fiorino d'oro were first minted in 1252. In Hungary, the florentinus, later referred to as the forint, served as a gold-based currency from 1325 under the reign of Charles Robert, setting a precedent followed by several other nations. The introduction of the forint on August 1, 1946, played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Hungarian economy post-World War II.

Engraver: István Kósa

Obverse

Depicts the coin series issued in 1946. Arranged in a circle, partially overlapping from top to bottom, are the 2 filler, 10 filler, 20 filler, 1 forint, 2 forint, and in the center, the 5 forint denomination coins, with a decorative motif surrounding the depiction of the Kossuth coat of arms as depicted on the 10 forint banknote issued in 1946. In the bottom left corner, the signature of Dr. Imre Oltványi (President of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank from 1945 to 1946) is present. On the right side, below the depiction, the engraver's privy mark is visible. On the left side, the inscription "SEVENTY YEARS OF THE FORINT" is placed, and at the bottom, in the center, the year "1946" is readable.

The Kossuth Coat of Arms is a distinctive version of the historical Hungarian national coat of arms, notable for its absence of the Holy Crown. It features a unique shield shape with inwardly curved edges at the top and sides, forming a characteristic Hungarian shield. On the left side of the coat of arms is a triple hill topped with a crown, above which an apostolic double cross is depicted. The right side displays the "Árpád stripes" pattern.

This coat of arms replaced the crowned small coat of arms after the Habsburgs were dethroned on April 14, 1849, and independence was declared on April 19. It is associated with Lajos Kossuth and was subsequently used on Hungarian army flags. In 1848, under Kossuth's direction, the Ministry of Finance adopted the old middle coat of arms without its crown, representing Hungary, Croatia, Slavonia, and Transylvania, which were under Hungarian government authority at the time.

HETVENÉVES A FORINT
10 2
20
FI
1
FO
FORINT
Ki
1946

Reverse

Depicts the motif on the 20,000 forint banknote, introduced in 2015. Below the motif, arranged in three horizontal lines, are the denomination, the inscription "FORINT," and the minting year "2016." The word "HUNGARY" is positioned within a quarter circle along the beaded border surrounding the edge.

On the right side, the coat of arms of Hungary is depicted, while to the left, rotated 90 degrees, is a staircase. Alongside the staircase, alternating with decorative motifs of four-petaled flowers, is the inscription "MNB." At the top of the steps, microtext inscriptions such as "VALUES," "DEVELOPMENT," "TRADITION," "DURABILITY," and "STABILITY" are visible, along with the signature of Dr. György Matolcsy, President of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, near the bottom step. Below the depiction, between two decorative motifs of four-petaled flowers, is the mint mark "BP." Microtext within the mint mark becomes visible under at least ten times magnification.

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.

MAGYARORSZÁG
MNB
ÉRTÉKEK
FEJLŐDÉS
TRADÍCIÓ
IDŐTÁLLÓSÁG
STABILITÁS
2000 BP.
FORINT
2016

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Copper Nickel
Weight 30.8 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

Related coins

70th Anniversary of the Forint

Cupronickel, 7.6 g, ⌀ 27.4 mm

70th Anniversary of the Forint

Silver, 31.46 g, ⌀ 38.61 mm