Coins Commemorate Stock Exchange Anniversary

The National Bank of Hungary (MNB) issues a silver collector coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 and its non-ferrous metal version of HUF 2,000 to mark the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Budapest Stock Exchange on June 21, 2020.

As a successor of the first stock exchange in Hungary established over 150 years ago, in 1864, the Budapest Stock Exchange (BÉT) plays a key role in the capital markets in Hungary and the Central-European region. Due to the strong development after the re-establishment 30 years ago on 21 June 1991, today the BÉT has become one of the most innovative markets in the region. As a central agent in the Hungarian money and capital markets, it offers economic agents opportunities to raise funds, and provides a wide range of investment facilities to investors.

The primary role of collector coins is to offer education and pay tribute, therefore they are not to be used in everyday payments. Their face value serves to preserve the value the coins represent to collectors.

The silver and the non-ferrous metal versions have the same design, with their denominations being the only difference. The commemorative coins were designed by applied artist Zoltán Endrődy.

On the obverse of the coins, in the centre, the most important index of stock exchange developments is shown. A line chart, displaying the changes in the BUX index, relative to international trends, is found in the middle surrounded by a line. Highlighted years refer to the most crucial events in the history of the stock exchange since the Budapest Stock Exchange was reopened. Behind the line chart, a world map created from downward and upward arrows is seen, representing fluctuations in economic growth. In the outer ring, at the top, the key values of the BÉT are placed: ʻNÖVEKEDÉS • GYARAPODÁS • FENNTARTHATÓSÁGʼ (rise • growth • sustainability). One of the compulsory design elements of collector coins, the lettering ʻMAGYARORSZÁGʼ is also shown here.

The thematic side presents how stock exchanges typically operate. On the vertical, middle axis, the Budapest Stock Exchange’s emblematic object, the bell on a compartment is featured symbolizing the trade opening at the stock exchange, which serves as a way of celebration when a security is quoted in the market. The composition comes complete with the BÉT’s logo, at the bottom. Standing for stock exchange trends the pictures of the bull, symbolizing an upward path at the stock exchange, and of the bear, representing an exchange rate fall, are placed on the left and on the right on two separate horizontal lines. The visualization of growth and recession is further highlighted by the bull’s dense representation and the bear’s composition of line art. The additional compulsory elements of collector coins are the denominations of 10,000 and 2,000 FORINT, the mint year ʻ2020ʼ and the mint mark ʻBP.ʼ containing security features in micro-lettering. Applied artist, Zoltán Endrődy’s master mark, the designer of the collector coins is placed below the representation of the bull.

Both collector coins have a diameter of 38.61 mm with reeded edges. The silver coin with a face value of HUF 10,000 is struck in .925 fine silver and weighs 31.46 grams. The non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of HUF 2,000 is produced from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%) and weighs 30.8 grams. The mintage limit of both the silver collector coin in proof finish and that of the non-ferrous version in BU finish is 4,000, each.