Obverse. Photo © Magyar Nemzeti Bank
  • 30 000 Forint 2020, Adamo# EM393, Hungary, 30th Anniversary of Hungarian Freedom
  • 30 000 Forint 2020, Adamo# EM393, Hungary, 30th Anniversary of Hungarian Freedom
Description

The regime change in Hungary refers to the country's transition from a one-party socialist state to a democratic, pluralistic republic. This shift, centered around 1989, saw significant events like the proclamation of the Hungarian Republic, the reburial of Imre Nagy, and the death of János Kádár. The process began earlier, with Kádár being replaced by Károly Grósz as General Secretary of the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (MSZMP) in May 1988. Miklós Németh became Prime Minister in November 1988, pushing for a peaceful transition and legislative changes.

The first free elections in spring 1990 were won by the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF), leading to a center-right coalition government under József Antall. Árpád Göncz became President of the Republic, and László Sólyom was elected President of the Constitutional Court. The Antall government aimed to dismantle the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) and the Warsaw Pact, with the military organization of the Warsaw Pact losing its validity on March 31, 1991, and the Pact itself dissolving on July 1, 1991, ending the socialist one-party system.

Engraver: Balázs Bitó

Obverse

Depicts four young trees knocking down a brick wall. In nine rows below the depiction of the brick wall, arranged in the center, displaying the most significant milestones and events of the 1989-90 regime change, along with their dates: "TOGETHER FOR FREEDOM," "Joint opposition demonstration, March 15, 1989," "Opposition Roundtable, March 22, 1989," "FREE ELECTIONS," "March 25 and April 8, 1990," "INDEPENDENT HUNGARY," "The last Soviet soldier," "leaves the country," and "June 19, 1991." Around the edge, in the upper semicircle, the inscription "30 YEARS OF FREEDOM" is visible, and on the right side, above the depiction of the brick wall, the engraver's privy mark is placed.

30 ÉVE SZABADON
EGYÜTT A SZABADSÁGÉRT
Közös ellenzéki demonstráció 1989. március 15.
Ellenzéki kerekasztal 1989. március 22.
SZABAD VÁLASZTÁSOK
1990. március 25. és április 8.
FÜGGETLEN MAGYARORSZÁG
Az utolsó szovjet katona
elhagyja az országot
1991. június 19.

Reverse

Depicts the new coat of arms shattering the old Hungarian coat of arms (Kádár coat of arms) prior to July 11, 1990. The depiction is based on the central motif of a 1989 election poster designed by István Orosz, a graphic artist. Around the edge, in a circular inscription, the word "HUNGARY" is at the top, while the denomination and the inscription "FORINT" are at the bottom. On the left side, the mint mark "BP." separates the two inscriptions, while on the right side, the issuance year "2020" is placed.

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
BP. 2020
30000 FORINT

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 93.31 g
Diameter 59.75 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

Related coins

30th Anniversary of Hungarian Freedom

Copper Nickel, 100 g, ⌀ 59.75 mm