3,000 forint - Royal Guard

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing a special, non-ferrous metal hexagonal collector coin named ‘Főőrség’ (Royal Guard) on 20 August 2024. Located in the Hunyadi Court of the Buda Castle, the building was rebuilt in 2020. The collector coin, featuring the former headquarters of the Royal Guard, is the latest addition to the coin series showing the achievements of the National Hauszmann Programme. Unique among the MNB's collector coin issues, the pieces in the series can be fitted together to form a honeycomb structure. The non-ferrous metal collector coin with a face value of 3 000 forints was designed by applied artist Zoltán Endrődy. The National Hauszmann Programme seeks to restore the Buda Castle District, Hungary's outstanding intellectual and cultural heritage, to its original appearance seen at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, as conceived by architect Alajos Hauszmann. After the election of Miklós Horthy as Governor and the dethronement of the Habsburg dynasty, the Hungarian Royal Guard was created, which preserved the traditions of earlier guards and carried out its daily duties in the Buda Castle in line with the standards of the period. The mandate of the new guard was extended to include the protection of Governor Miklós Horthy and his family members. Between 1853 and 1854, a separate headquarters building was constructed in Buda Castle for the Guard, where the elite soldiers were stationed. It was later demolished in 1901. The new building of the Royal Guard was built in 1903 based on Alajos Hauszmann's plans and decorated with reliefs depicting military victories. The building was damaged in the World War II and was subsequently demolished. The building today was rebuilt in 2020 and is located in the Hunyadi Court of the Buda Castle, housing an exhibition in memory of the former Royal Guard. The Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing a collector coin with a face value of 3 000 forints, named ‘Főőrség’, as the third piece in the collector coin series presenting the achievements of the National Hauszmann Programme. The primary role of the series is to raise awareness and offer education, representing the objectives of the renewal of the Buda Castle District, and its pieces do not play a role in cash circulation. The 7-piece series of collector coins, designed to fit together, will feature buildings renovated or rebuilt under the National Hauszmann Programme, as well as other sites in the Castle. The unique series within the central bank collector coin issues will continue in the future, and the individual pieces will form a honeycomb structure when joined together. The honeycomb structure is characterised by the smallest possible diameter combined with the largest possible surface area, forming a very strong and stable spatial structure. The shape of the coin also conveys a message, drawing attention to the importance of preserving our national values.