Budapest, 25 March 2026 – “Hungary’s three-time Olympic gold medallist boxing champion László Papp can serve as an example for the entire country, not only with his performance, but with his sportsmanship and character as well,” according to MNB Governor Mihály Varga, speaking at the Centenary Gala Evening organised on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of László Papp, at the Dr Jenő Koltai Sports Centre. Governor Varga announced that the Magyar Nemzeti Bank was issuing, in limited quantity, a silver collector coin with a face value of HUF 25,000 and a non-ferrous version with a face value of HUF 5,000.
The MNB Governor recalled that László Papp’s outstanding performance was based on a perfect combination of strategic and tactical thinking, complemented by down-to-earth, easy-going cheerfulness, as well as respect for both opponents and fans. Varga noted that Papp’s achievements proved that the talent and perseverance of Hungarians could hold their own at the world’s forefront. As he had previously said, a sense of purpose and good situational awareness were a general recipe for success, when it came to family life, managing a large company or the economy as a whole. Governor Varga highlighted that the perseverance, honour and patriotism that Papp represented were values that continued to serve as a compass for younger generations. He also recalled that since 1968 the Magyar Nemzeti Bank had been regularly issuing collector coins in connection with Hungary’s major historical, scientific, and cultural events and anniversaries. The collector coins issued on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of László Papp pay homage to a national achievement which every Hungarian could be proud of. The MNB Governor called attention to the fact that the primary role of collector coins was to transmit values and raise awareness, and that they were not intended for use in everyday payments. Thanks to their sophisticated artistic design, they held unique value. The face value displayed on the coins was meant to preserve their value for collectors.
For more information on collector coins, please visit the MNB’s website.
Magyar Nemzeti Bank