Budapest, 16 August 2016 – The Magyar Nemzeti Bank compiled the programme of commemorative coin issuance for 2017 following a public consultation on the thematic structure.

Public consultation on the MNB’s programme of commemorative coin issuance of 2017 was a considerable success. On one of the leading online news portals nearly 15,000 people expressed their opinion regarding the thematic structures via the published voting system. The MNB also took public opinion into consideration in completing the final commemorative coin programme.

Most of the recommendations suggested that the Bank should commemorate the anniversary of the birth of János Arany with the issuance of a commemorative coin. In response, the MNB will issue a golden commemorative coin to honour János Arany, maintaining the traditional silver commemorative coin line honouring Hungarian literary figures, writers, poets. Currently, the Hungarian golden florins from the Middle Ages series has been discontinued as the Albert II of Germany (Habsburg Albert) (1437-39) theme, planned as next, was only supported by 36 per cent of the respondents. The piece for the year of 2017, featuring the Fiume Street National Cemetery of the patinated copper alloy commemorative coin series displaying National Memorial Sites, was also less popular among the respondents. Instead, one high profile national memorial site will be featured on a commemorative coin: the Kossuth Square.

New recommendations were also made that were not on the published list during the consultation period. Of these, the Bank included the 200th anniversary of Zsuzsanna Kossuth’s birth and the 125th anniversary of László Lajtha’s birth in the commemorative coin programme.

On the basis of the results of the consultation the programme of commemorative coin issuance of 2017 is the following:

Theme of coin Specification  
Material Weight g/pc Diameter/ size       mm Edge Finish Face value (HUF) Announced volume pcs Scheduled date of issue
775th Anniversary of the Birth of Saint Margaret Au.986 6.982 22 smooth proof 50 000 2 000  27 January 2017
Cu75Ni4Zn21 4.2 22 smooth BU 2 000 5 000
200th Anniversary of the Birth of Zsuzsanna Kossuth Ag .925 31.46 38.61 reeded proof 10 000 5 000 19 February 2017
Cu75Ni25 30.8 38.61 reeded BU 2 000 5 000
200th Anniversary of the Birth of János Arany Au .999 0.5 11 smooth proof-like 5 000 5 000 2 March 2017
Ag .925 31.46 38.61 reeded proof 10 000 5 000
Cu75Ni25 30.8 38.61 reeded BU 2 000 5 000
Bükk National Park Ag .925 31.46 39.6*26.4 smooth proof 10 000 5 000 22 April 2017
Cu75Ni25 27 39.6*26.4 smooth BU 2 000 5 000
200th Anniversary of the Birth of János Irinyi Cu75Ni25 14 28.43*28.43 smooth BU 2 000 4 000 18 May 2017
proof 2 000 6 000
150th Anniversary of the Compromise Ag .925 77.76 52.5 reeded proof 20 000 5 000 29 May 2017
Cu75Ni25 76.5 52.5 reeded BU 2 000 5 000
125th Anniversary of the Birth of László Lajtha Ag .925 12.5 30 reeded proof 5 000 5 000 30 June 2017
CuNi25 12.5 30 reeded BU 2 000 5 000
650th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Pécs University Ag .925 31.46 38.61 reeded proof 10 000 5 000 1 September 2017
Cu75Ni25 30.8 38.61 reeded BU 2 000 5 000
NEH-Kossuth Square Cu90Zn10 18.4 37 reeded patinated 2 000 5 000 19 September 2017
500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation Ag .925 31.46 38.61 reeded proof 10 000 5 000 31 October 2017
Cu75Ni25 30.8 38.61 reeded BU 2 000 5 000

In line with the sales policy in effect since 2014, a non-ferrous metal version with a face value of HUF 2,000 will be issued for all commemorative coins made of precious metal. This finish does not only serve to expand the supply range, but also contributes to the promotion and to the informative role the commemorative coins have due to their lower price.

The MNB reserves the right to make modifications to the programme. The final data are determined by regulations made by the Governor of the MNB and published in the Hungarian Gazette.

Magyar Nemzeti Bank