Collector coin issuance to mark the 220th anniversary of Ferenc Deák’s birth

17 October 2023

To mark the 220th anniversary of Deák’s birth, the ‘wise man of the nation’, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing a 15,000-forint silver and a 3,000-forint non-ferrous collector coins named ‘Deák Ferenc’. These coins also focus attention on one of the greatest achievements of the 1848–1849 Revolution and War of Independence: the formation of the first independent Hungarian government. 2023 marks the 175th anniversary of this event. The collector coins were designed by applied artist Balázs Bitó. The ceremonial issuance will take place as part of the academic conference Deák 220 Joggal a hazáért (Deák 220 - With Rights for the Homeland), organised by the Ministry of Justice.

Ferenc Deák (17 October 1803 – 28 January 1876), known as the ‘wise man of the nation’ was born 220 years ago and was one of Hungary’s most renowned 19th-century politicians, who served as Minister of Justice in the first independent Hungarian government. In the spring of 1848, after the victory of the revolution, he played a key role in the creation of the modern, then civil state. He was also a leading figure in the period of passive resistance after the defeat of the 1848–1849 Revolution and War of Independence. He is perhaps most remembered for his leading role in a series of successful negotiations leading to the Compromise in 1867. In the next 50 years, a thriving economic and social development, material and spiritual prosperity took place in the dual monarchy established with his involvement.

To mark the 220th anniversary of his birth, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing a 15,000-forint silver and a 3,000-forint non-ferrous collector coins named ‘Deák Ferenc’.

These collector coins highlight Deák’s legislative activities, since as a lawyer and minister, he played a leading role in the legislation and judicial work that brought about the transformation of civil society and the modernisation of the country. These coins also reference one of the greatest achievements of the 1848–1849 Revolution and War of Independence: the formation of the first independent Hungarian government. 2023 marks the 175th anniversary of this event.

The silver and non-ferrous metal coins have the same design, the only difference being the denominations.

The obverse of the coins shows the wax seal of the Minister of Justice in 1848, as one of the guarantees of legislative authenticity. Surrounded by a circular line, this is complemented by the compulsory elements of collector coins: at the top, the inscription ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (Hungary) referring to the issuer, at the bottom the mint mark ‘BP.’ indicating the place of issuance and the mint year ‘2023’, and the denominations ‘15000’ and ‘3000 FORINT’ interrupting the circular line. The inscription ’DEÁK FERENC AZ ELSŐ FELELŐS MAGYAR KORMÁNY IGAZSÁGÜGYI MINISZTERE’ (Ferenc Deák, Minister of Justice of the First Independent Hungarian Government) running along the edge of the obverse, indicates the rightful user of the stamp.

The obverse of the ‘Deák Ferenc’ collector coins

The reverse of the coins features a half-length portrait of Deák on the right-hand side of the vertical central field, bordered by a circular line, which was inspired by a lithograph by the renowned Austrian painter Franz Eybl from 1842. To the left of the central field, parallel to the vertical line, the statesman's signature is seen, complementing the legislative authenticity, and the dates 1803 and 1876 are also placed here, indicating Deák's birth and death. The legend contains one of Deák’s most well-known messages: ‘KOCKÁZTATHATUNK MINDENT A HAZÁÉRT, DE A HAZÁT KOCKÁZTATNI SEMMIÉRT NEM SZABAD’. (We can risk everything for the homeland, but we may not risk the homeland for nothing.) The designer’s mark of applied artist Balázs Bitó, the designer of the coin is found to the right of the portrait.

The reverse of the ‘Deák Ferenc’ collector coins

The link between the two sides of the coin is reinforced by the slightly asymmetrical positioning of the thematic elements, the seal on the obverse and the portrait on the reverse.

Both collector coins have a diameter of 38.61 mm with a reeded edge. The silver coin with a face value of 15,000 forints is struck in .925 fine silver and weighs 31.46 grams. The non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of 3000 forints is produced from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%) and weighs 30.80 grams. 5,000 pieces can be made of the silver collector coin in proof finish and 5000 pieces of the non-ferrous version in BU finish.

In order to promote the role of these collector coins to transfer value and raise awareness as widely as possible, the silver coin ‘Deák Ferenc’ will be available for purchase for three months, while stocks last, and the non-ferrous version for one year from the date of issuance, at face value in the webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) and coin shop of Hungarian Mint Ltd. (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street), the producer and the distributor of the coins, starting from 17 October 2023.