18 May 2021
The Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a non-ferrous metal collector coin of 2,000 forints today, to honour the Hungarian presidency in the Council of Europe. It is the second time Hungary has tended to the tasks of the presidency in the international organisation representing the protection of human rights, democracy and constitutional state between May and November 2021. The collector coin was designed by applied artist Balázs Bitó.
Headquartered in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe was founded on 5 May 1949 and currently it includes 47 member states. This regional international organisation advocates human rights, democracy and the constitutional state. Hungary was the 24th state to join on 6 November 1990 and it was the first to be included from the Eastern Block. In 2021, Hungary will tend to the tasks of the presidency in the Council of Europe for the second time. The rotating presidency in the Committee of Ministers, serving as an intergovernmental forum for cooperation, will go to Hungary between May and November 2021.
The priorities of the six-month Hungarian presidency are to efficiently protect ethnic minorities, to facilitate a dialogue between future generations, religions, to support the cause of environmental protection and to prepare for future challenges.
The MNB will issue a 2,000-forint non-ferrous metal collector coin named ‘Európa Tanács magyar elnöksége, 2021’ (Hungarian presidency in the Council of Europe, 2021). Taking advantage of their role to raise awareness and provide education, the Bank wishes to enhance the recognition of the Council of Europe in Hungary, and to shape our country’s image. 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 collector coin is to symbolise European unity and the Pan-European spirit; therefore, on the obverse in the middle surrounded by a ring of fine lines a globe is featured with Europe in the centre as viewed from space. Above the central motif, on the left the master mark of applied artist Balázs Bitó, the designer of the coin is placed and on the right, in two horizontal lines, the denomination ‘2,000’ and the lettering ‘FORINT’ are seen, which slightly extend beyond the ring. On the ring of fine lines in a legend on the left the word ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (Hungary) and at the bottom the mint mark ‘BP.’, and slightly to the right of the mint mark the mint year ‘2021’ are found.
On the reverse, placed in a central position the official logo of the Hungarian presidency in the Council of Europe is shown, which is surrounded by a ring of fine lines. The colours of Hungary’s flag are symbolised by heraldic stripes. In an inscription on the ring, at the top the lettering ‘AZ EURÓPA TANÁCS MAGYAR ELNÖKSÉGE’ (The Hungarian presidency in the Council of Europe) and at the bottom, the date ‘2021. MÁJUS - NOVEMBER’ (May-November 2021) are shown.
The ‘Európa Tanács magyar elnöksége, 2021’ collector coin
 obverse |
 reverse |
The non-ferrous metal collector coin is minted from an alloy of copper (75%), nickel (4%) and zinc (21%). It weighs 16 grams and it is 34 mm in diameter and has a finely reeded edge. On the reeded edge the following inscription runs: ‘HUNGARIAN PRESIDENCY ? COUNCIL OF EUROPE ? PRÉSIDENCE HONGROISE ? CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE •’. It is a repetition in English and French, the two official languages of the Council of Europe, of the lettering on the reverse: ‘AZ EURÓPA TANÁCS MAGYAR ELNÖKSÉGE’ (The Hungarian presidency in the Council of Europe). The collector coins will be produced in quantities limited to a total of 7,000 in a special proof-like finish.
In order to promote the commemorative and educational role of these collector coins as widely as possible, the ‘Európa Tanács magyar elnöksége, 2021’ collector coin will be available for purchase at face value for one year, while stocks last, in the coin shop of Hungarian Mint Ltd. (Budapest, distr. V, 7 Báthory street) and its webshop (https://www.penzvero.hu/) starting from 18 May 2021.