15000 Forint (Hungarian Hymnus) – Hungary
Non-circulating coins
Commemoration: 200th anniversary of writing the Hungarian Hymnus
Hungary
Context
Year: 2023
Issuer: Hungary 
Issuing organization: Magyar Pénzverő
Period:
(since 1989)
Currency:
(since 1946)
Total mintage: 5,000
Material
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Weight: 31.46 g
Silver weight: 29.10 g
Shape: Round
Composition: 92.5% Silver
Standard: Silver ounce
Magnetic: No
Technique: Milled
Alignment: Medal alignment
flip
References
Numista: #353823
Value
Exchange value: 15000 HUF = $47.23
Bullion value: $84.41
Inflation-adjusted value: 18751.80 HUF
Obverse
Inscription:
A Hymnus megírásának bicentenáriumára készült emlékérme előoldalán Kölcsey Ferenc félalakos portréja látható, amint előlép az előoldal megosztott hátteréből. A portrét AntonEinsle 1835-ös festménye ihlette. Az ábrázolás finoman utal arra az elvonultságra, amelyben a Hymnus született Szatmárcsekén. Kölcsey ruházatába rejtve olvasható a költő vezetékneve. Az ábrázolás alatt egy korabeli toll utal Kölcsey szerzőségére. Alatta két sorban a Hymnus eredeti kéziratából vett cím első szava – a „Hymnus” –, valamint a cím végén olvasható, a mű keletkezését megörökítő „1823”-as évszám szerepel. A portrétól jobbra függőlegesen a „MAGYARORSZÁG” felirat áll. Az előoldal alsó harmadában bal szélen két sorban a „2023” verési évszám, valamint a „BP.” verdejel, jobb szélen a „15000”, értékjelzés, valamint a „FORINT” felirat olvasható
Translation:
On the obverse of the commemorative coin issued for the bicentenary of the writing of the Hymn, a half-length portrait of Ferenc Kölcsey is visible, as he steps forward from the divided background of the obverse. The portrait was inspired by Anton Einsle's 1835 painting. The depiction subtly alludes to the seclusion in which the Hymn was born in Szatmárcseke. Hidden within Kölcsey's clothing, the poet's surname can be read. Below the depiction, a period quill alludes to Kölcsey's authorship. Beneath it, in two lines, are the first word of the title – "Hymnus" – taken from the original manuscript of the Hymn, as well as the year "1823", found at the end of the title, which records the year the work was created. To the right of the portrait, the inscription "MAGYARORSZÁG" is positioned vertically. In the lower third of the obverse, on the left edge in two lines are the mint year "2023" and the mint mark "BP."; on the right edge are the denomination "15000" and the inscription "FORINT".
Script: Latin
Language: Hungarian
Designer: Tamás E. Soltra
Reverse
Inscription:
Az érme hátoldalán magyarországi körpanoráma látható, melyre – a költemény szakrális jellegére utalva – a szentháromságot szimbolizáló központi háromszögből három irányba sugarak vetülnek. A háromszög körül a Hymnusban megfogalmazott kérés, a „NYÚJTS FELÉJE VÉDŐ KART HA KÜZD ELLENSÉGGEL” felirat olvasható; az idézet végpontjait egy pont választja el. A körpanorámában középen lent Kölcsey Szatmárcsekén található sírhelye látható, amelyet Magyarország ikonikus tájegységeinek ábrázolásai vesznek körül. Az óramutató járásával megegyező sorrendben ezek az alábbiak: Tihany, a Balaton, Szigliget, Esztergom, a Dunakanyar, Visegrád, Eger, Tokaj és Szatmárcseke. Az emlékérméket tervező Soltra E. Tamás szobrász- és éremművész mesterjegye Tokaj ábrázolásába rejtve jelenik meg.
Translation:
On the reverse of the coin, a panorama of Hungary is visible, upon which – alluding to the sacred character of the poem – rays are cast in three directions from the central triangle symbolizing the Trinity. Around the triangle, the plea formulated in the Hymn, the inscription "STRETCH A PROTECTIVE ARM TOWARDS HIM IF HE FIGHTS AGAINST A FOE" is legible; the endpoints of the quotation are separated by a dot. In the circular panorama, in the center below, Kölcsey's grave in Szatmárcseke is visible, which is surrounded by depictions of iconic landscape units of Hungary. In clockwise order, these are the following: Tihany, Lake Balaton, Szigliget, Esztergom, the Danube Bend, Visegrád, Eger, Tokaj, and Szatmárcseke. The master mark of the sculptor and medalist Tamás E. Solt, the designer of the commemorative coins, appears hidden within the depiction of Tokaj.
Script: Latin
Language: Hungarian
Designer: Tamás E. Soltra
Edge
Plain
Categories
| Art> Literature |
Mints
| Name | Mark |
|---|---|
| Hungarian mint | BP. |
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | BP. | 5,000 | Proof |
Historical background
In 2023, Hungary's currency, the forint (HUF), navigated a year of significant pressure and gradual stabilization. The primary challenges stemmed from a prolonged period of high inflation, which peaked at over 25% in early 2023—the highest in the European Union—and a wide interest rate differential with major currencies. These factors, combined with concerns over the pace of European Union fund disbursements and the country's twin deficits (budget and current account), led to notable volatility. The forint repeatedly tested and, at times, breached the psychologically sensitive 400-per-euro level in the first half of the year, reflecting investor unease.
The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) played a central role in managing the situation through a unique dual monetary policy. To combat inflation and support the currency, the MNB maintained the EU's highest base interest rate at 13% for most of the year. Alongside this, it employed a series of targeted liquidity tools, effectively creating a "soft peg" or interest rate corridor to provide stability. This strategy, alongside a gradual improvement in the country's risk assessment as EU funds began to flow after agreements with the European Commission, helped the forint recover ground in the latter part of 2023, strengthening to around 375-380 against the euro by year-end.
Overall, 2023 was a transition year for the Hungarian forint, moving from extreme vulnerability to a more stable, though still fragile, position. The currency's fortunes remained tightly linked to the inflation outlook, the MNB's policy decisions, and the broader access to EU reconstruction funds. While the aggressive monetary policy succeeded in averting a deeper crisis and bolstering the forint, it came at the cost of constrained economic growth, setting the stage for a cautious shift towards rate cuts only as inflation showed clear signs of sustained deceleration towards the very end of the year.
The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) played a central role in managing the situation through a unique dual monetary policy. To combat inflation and support the currency, the MNB maintained the EU's highest base interest rate at 13% for most of the year. Alongside this, it employed a series of targeted liquidity tools, effectively creating a "soft peg" or interest rate corridor to provide stability. This strategy, alongside a gradual improvement in the country's risk assessment as EU funds began to flow after agreements with the European Commission, helped the forint recover ground in the latter part of 2023, strengthening to around 375-380 against the euro by year-end.
Overall, 2023 was a transition year for the Hungarian forint, moving from extreme vulnerability to a more stable, though still fragile, position. The currency's fortunes remained tightly linked to the inflation outlook, the MNB's policy decisions, and the broader access to EU reconstruction funds. While the aggressive monetary policy succeeded in averting a deeper crisis and bolstering the forint, it came at the cost of constrained economic growth, setting the stage for a cautious shift towards rate cuts only as inflation showed clear signs of sustained deceleration towards the very end of the year.
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