Obverse. Photo © Magyar Nemzeti Bank
  • 2000 Forint 2020, Adamo# EM411, Hungary, Hungarian National Memorial Sites, Reformed Great Church and Debrecen Reformed College
  • 2000 Forint 2020, Adamo# EM411, Hungary, Hungarian National Memorial Sites, Reformed Great Church and Debrecen Reformed College
Description

Hungarian historical landmarks hold profound significance as sites of memory, revered for their national, religious, regional, or minority importance. While they often boast remarkable architectural features, their primary value lies in their historical significance. According to legislation, a national memorial site can encompass either a constructed setting or a natural locale where a pivotal event from the past, shaping the nation's trajectory, or a significant state decision has unfolded, deemed worthy of national remembrance.

Distinguished national memorial sites serve as crucial touchstones in both Hungarian history and the history of the Hungarian State. They offer visitors a window into the pivotal events, tragedies, and triumphs that have shaped Hungary's past. Presently (as of 2024), the country boasts sixty-four recognized historical landmarks, designated as such by government decree following recommendations from the National Memorial and Mourning Committee. The National Heritage Institute ensures their consistent identification, erecting markers that not only uniformly distinguish the landmarks but also succinctly convey their significance to interested parties.

Engraver: Zoltán Tóth

Obverse

Depicts the tower of the Reformed Great Church, with a detail of the building of the Debrecen Reformed College in the background. Above the depiction of the College building, the emblem of national memorials is visible, with the inscription "NATIONAL" above and "MEMORIAL SITE" below in two horizontal lines. Around the edge, the inscription "GREAT REFORMED CHURCH AND COLLEGE" is curved at the top, while "DEBRECEN" is at the bottom. These inscriptions are separated by a dot on the left and the engraver's privy mark on the right.

The Reformed Great Church of Debrecen, Hungary's largest Reformed and Protestant church, symbolizes the Hungarian Reformed Church and is often called the "Calvinist Rome." Built between 1805 and 1824 in neoclassical style, it replaced earlier structures destroyed by fire. Despite setbacks like damage during the Rákóczi War of Independence and a major fire in 1802, the church stands tall. Significant events, such as the 1849 declaration of independence, took place here. The interior features a spacious nave for 3,000 worshippers and historical artifacts like Lajos Kossuth's chair.

The Debrecen Reformed Theological University, officially known as Debreceni Református Hittudományi Egyetem, is the successor of the Debrecen Reformed College, founded in 1538. It is a key center for Protestant theological training in Hungary, focusing on training ministers for the Reformed Church. In 2011, the Ferenc Kölcsey Teacher Training College was integrated into the university. Since its inception, the college has educated ministers for Calvinist parishes in Hungary and Transylvania, emphasizing languages, dialectics, rhetoric, free arts, theology, and Scripture as essential components of theological education. The commemorative coin was issued to mark the 100th anniversary of Zsigmond Móricz's "Légy jó mindhalálig" (Be Good Until Death), whose plot is connected to the college.

REFORMÁTUS NAGYTEMPLOM ÉS KOLLÉGIUM
NEMZETI EMLÉKHELY
DEBRECEN

Reverse

Depicts the vault keystone of St. Andrew's Church, which once stood on the site of the Great Reformed Church in the Middle Ages, featuring a lamb with a flag. This lamb with the flag is a significant symbol of the memorial site, also appearing in the city's coat of arms as a Reformed symbol. The capstone depicted on the front page is preserved by the Reformed College Museum in Debrecen.

The Latin motto of the College, "ORANDO ET LABORANDO" (Pray and Work!), is inscribed in the lower half-circle. The inscription "HUNGARY" appears in the upper half-circle, with the year of minting, 2020, and the BP. mint mark on the left, and the denomination "2000 FORINT" on the right, both arranged in two lines.

MAGYARORSZÁG
2020
BP.
2000
FORINT

Edge

2000 Forint

Hungarian National Memorial Sites
Reformed Great Church and Debrecen Reformed College

Subscribe series
Adamo# EM411
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Bronze Plated Copper
Weight 18.4 g
Diameter 37 mm
Thickness 2.7 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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