Obverse. Photo © Magyar Nemzeti Bank
  • 7500 Forint 2024, Hungary, Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Hungary
  • 7500 Forint 2024, Hungary, Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Hungary
Description

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is responsible for the functioning of the Council of the European Union, the upper house of the EU legislature. It rotates among the member states of the EU every six months. The presidency is not an individual, but rather the position is held by a national government. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the President of the European Union. The presidency's function is to chair meetings of the Council, determine its agendas, set a work programme and facilitate dialogue both at Council meetings and with other EU institutions.

The Hungarian Presidency of the Council took place during the second half of 2024, taking over from Belgium and passing it to Poland.

Engraver: Zoltán Endrődy

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of Hungary outlined. To the left of it, the inscription "20", and to the right, the inscription "24", referring to the year of issue and Hungary's presidency of the Council of the European Union. Around the depiction of the coat of arms is the circular inscription "HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION". On the outer part, there is a stylized network of interlocking semicircles featuring the 12 stars symbolizing the European Union.

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.

AZ EURÓPAI UNIÓ TANÁCSÁNAK MAGYAR ELNÖKSÉGE •
20 24

Reverse

Depicts characteristic, historical sites of Hungary. At the top, in the foreground, is the Millennium Monument located at Heroes' Square, with the Parliament building behind it, and in the background, the Tihany Abbey. At the bottom, there are rows of dots in a semicircular arrangement that grow larger towards the edge, symbolizing a meeting room of the parliament. Along the edge at the top, in two rows, is the denomination and the inscription "FORINT". At the bottom, in a circular inscription, is the word "HUNGARY". On the left side, incorporated into the depiction of the Parliament building, is the mint mark "BP.", and on the right side, incorporated into the depiction of the meeting room, is the engraver's privy mark.

The Hungarian Parliament building, also called the Parliament of Budapest due to its location, serves as the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary and stands as a prominent landmark and tourist attraction in Budapest. Designed by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl in the neo-Gothic style, it was completed in 1902 and remains the largest building in Hungary. The decision to construct the building was made by the Diet seven years after the unification of Buda, Óbuda, and Pest in 1873, signifying the nation's sovereignty. Steindl's design, chosen through an international competition, was influenced by the Palace of Westminster in London, reflecting Hungary's aspiration for Western European ideals. Construction began in 1885 and concluded in 1904, involving approximately 100,000 workers and utilizing vast quantities of materials. Since World War II, the building has housed a unicameral legislature, with only a portion of it being utilized by the government.

7500
FORINT
BP.
MAGYARORSZÁG

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 12.5 g
Diameter 30 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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