Budapest, 1 December 2025 – “The success of the HUNOR Hungarian to Orbit Programme has enhanced Hungary’s international recognition in the field of space exploration and science, paving the way for Hungary to participate in one of the world’s fastest growing sectors,” according to MNB Governor Mihály Varga, speaking at the collector coin issuance ceremony organised to honour the 2025 Hungarian space flight. The MNB is issuing silver and non-ferrous metal versions of the coins, with a face value of HUF 20,000 and HUF 3,000, respectively, to commemorate a Hungarian astronaut being sent to space for the second time in 45 years, thanks to the HUNOR Hungarian to Orbit Programme.
Governor Varga recalled that, similar to the mission undertaken by Bertalan Farkas in the past, the recent mission by Tibor Kapu and Gyula Cserényi represented another new national achievement that every Hungarian can take pride in. Their work proved that Hungarian knowledge and perseverance could hold their own in the world’s vanguard. As he had previously noted, Tibor Kapu’s flight was a triumph of Hungarian spirit and perseverance, while Gyula Cserényi’s preparations and future role could serve as a guarantee for the HUNOR programme’s long-term survival. He also recalled that ever since 1968 the MNB had been regularly issuing collector coins in connection with Hungary’s historical, scientific and cultural events and anniversaries. The MNB issued a collector coin in 1980 on the occasion of the space flight of Bertalan Farkas, the first Hungarian astronaut, and thus, with the new collector coin featuring the HUNOR programme, the Bank was paying tribute to Hungarian space exploration for the second time in 45 years. MNB Governor Varga called attention to the fact that the primary role of collector coins was to transfer value and raise awareness, and they were not for use in everyday payments. Thanks to the sophisticated artistic design, they held unique value. The face value displayed on the collector coins was meant to preserve their value for collectors.
For more information on collector coins, please visit the MNB’s website.