2016-09-20 Tue

The 150th anniversary of the first zoo of Hungary, Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, opened on 9th August 1866, was celebrated with the release of two 2016 coins - Brilliant Uncirculated nickel-brass 2,000-forint and a Proof silver 10,000-forint coins. Unlike the regular round shaped coins, these Hungarian ones are rectangular in shape featuring some of the animals found in the zoo. The design elements for both the legal tender coins remain the same except for the Face Value inscription.

The obverse features a swimming Eastern white pelican found mostly in Carpathian Basin along with the depiction of the Australia House. Other inscriptions include a silhouette of the bird on a tree, MAGYARORSZAG, the 10,000 or 2,000 numerals, FORINT, the Mint mark BP, and 2016. The letters B and P are minted using the micro lettering technique visible only when magnified at least 10 times.

The reverse features a Southern white rhinoceros and her calf, celebrating the efforts of the zoo authorities due to which the first rhinoceros calf conceived in Hungary through artificial insemination. In the background, we can see the Big Cliff of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden. Other inscriptions include 150 EVES AZ ALLATKERT, 1866–2016 and the signature mark of Gabor Kereszthury, the designer.

The dimension of both the coins is 26.4 millimeters by 39.6 millimeters. The nickel-brass coin weighs 27 grams with a mintage limit of 10,000, and the Proof .925 fine silver piece weighs 31.46 grams, has a mintage limit of 3,000 and a limited sales window of 3 months.