New Collector Coin Issued by the National Bank of Hungary

On August 21, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) issued a special, non-ferrous metal hexagonal collector coin named 'The Former Headquarters of the Red Cross Association' as the 4th element of the coin series presenting the achievements of the National Hauszmann Program.

One of the most notable achievements of the National Hauszmann Program to date is the rebuilding of the former headquarters of the Red Cross Association at Dísz tér 1–2 in Budapest, MNB says in a statement. The original building was built between 1901 and 1903 for the Red Cross Association of the Countries of the Hungarian Holy Crown, according to plans by Alajos Hauszmann and Dezső Hültl.

The five-storey, historicist palace was a corner building and besides being the imposing headquarters of the Association, it also had rented flats and offices used by a ministry and the diplomatic services. The highly ornate palace with its domes fit perfectly in the eclectic townscape of the Castle District. The building was damaged at the end of World War II.

While it could have been saved, in 1946 to demolish it. Given the significance of the location, the building was chosen to be rebuilt as part of the renovation of the Buda Castle District in the National Hauszmann Program. Construction started in 2021, and the building was completed at the end of 2024.

The non-ferrous collector coin with a face value of HUF 3,000 was designed by applied artist Zoltán Endrődy. The primary role of the series is to raise awareness and offer education. Its pieces do not play a role in cash circulation.