2016-10-07 Fri

The 225th birth anniversary of one of Hungary’s greatest thinkers Count Istvan Szechenyi (1791–1860) was celebrated by issuing two new coins. He was influential and instrumental for Hungary’s reform era and helped in transforming the Hungarian society, economy, public life, transportation network, sports and introduced Hungarian language in science.

The obverse features the building of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the statue of Istvan Szechenyi by Jozsef Engel.

The reverse features a portrait of István Széchenyi and Hungary’s first train timetable with a steam locomotive in the background. The silver version is the first 20,000-forint denomination and the largest coin in the series of commemorative silver coins.

The mintage limit of the 2,000 forint Cupro-nickel 66.9 g Brilliant Uncirculated coin is 5,000 and that of the 20,000 forint .925 Silver 6.22 g Proof coin is also the same.

Both coins can be purchased for the face value; the cupro-nickel edition is designed with the tastes of the younger collector in mind.