The Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a silver collector coin with a face value of 10,000 forints and its non-ferrous metal version of 2,000 forints to mark the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Hungarian Meteorological Service on 25 September 2020. For the first time in the history of central bank issuances of over 50 years, a square shaped silver collector coin will be issued, and the large size of its non-ferrous metal version makes it also unique. The ‘Országos Meteorológiai Szolgálat' (Hungarian Meteorological Service) collector coin was designed by sculptor, Mercédesz Molnár.
The Hungarian Meteorological Service (OMSZ) was founded in 1870 to investigate the climatic features in Hungary, and to organise and assess meteorological measurements. The OMSZ currently runs a nationwide monitoring network, and it is tasked to complete duties related to weather, climate and air quality. Thanks to its professional experience and tradition of 150 years, it became an institute of outstanding standards and strategic importance in Central Europe.
The MNB will issue a silver collector coin of 10,000 forints and its non-ferrous metal version of 2,000 forints named ‘Országos Meteorológiai Szolgálat' (Hungarian Meteorological Service) on the 150th anniversary of the OMSZ’s foundation. The primary role of collector coins is to raise awareness of Hungary’s anniversary of note in the history of science and to recognise the high-level activity of forecast, research and education in the Service. The collector coins are not to be used in everyday payments. Their face value serves to preserve the value the coins represent to collectors.
The silver and the non-ferrous metal versions have the same design, with their denominations being the only difference. The collector coins were designed by sculptor Mercédesz Molnár.
On the obverse, a little to the left from the centre a schematic representation of a cyclone created from the logo of the Hungarian Meteorological Service is shown. Its interpretation is facilitated by the lettering OMSZ on the right at the bottom. The compulsory elements of collector coins are placed on the obverse: at the top, in two horizontal lines, aligned to the right the denomination ‘2000' and the wording ‘FORINT' below the lettering ‘MAGYARORSZÁG' (Hungary), at the bottom, on the left the mint mark ‘BP.' and the mint year ‘2020' in two horizontal lines.
The obverse of the Hungarian Meteorological Service collector coins
 Silver collector coin |
 Non-ferrous metal collector coin |
The collector coins’ thematic side features a scenery at Lake Balaton, complemented with a synoptic representation of the warm and cold fronts in a frontal system, attached to a cyclone, on a map. The motif on the reverse also refers to the fact that the OMSZ installed a storm warning network with stations, placed at the largest lakes in Hungary. Inserted in the representation, the master mark of coin designer, Mercédesz Molnár, is shown at the bottom, on the right. The central motif is framed by the lettering ‘Országos Meteorológiai Szolgálat' (Hungarian Meteorological Service) at the top, and the wording ‘Alapítva: 1870' (Founded: 1870), at the bottom.
The reverse of the Hungarian Meteorological Service collector coins
 Silver collector coin |
 Non-ferrous metal collector coin |
Both coins are square shaped, they are 38.61x38.61 mm in size, their edges are smooth. For the first time in the history of central bank issuances of over 50 years, a square shaped silver collector coin will be issued, and the large size of its non-ferrous metal version makes it also unique. The collector coin with a face value of 10,000 forints is struck in .925 fine silver and it weighs 31.46 grams. The non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 2,000 is produced from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%) and weighs 38.5 grams. The mintage limit of both the silver collector coin in proof finish and that of the non-ferrous version in BU finish is 5,000.
In order to promote the commemorative and educational role of these collector coins as widely as possible, the ‘Hungarian Meteorological Service’ silver commemorative coin will be available for purchase for three months from the date of issuance, while stocks last, and the non-ferrous metal version for one year at its face value, in the coinshop of Hungarian Mint Ltd., the producer and the distributor of the coins (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street) and its webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) starting from 25 September 2020.