15,000 forint – Kincsem, the Hungarian Racehorse

The Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a silver collector coin with a face value of HUF 15,000 and its non-ferrous metal version with a denomination of HUF 3,000, titled ‘Kincsem’, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of the all-time race winner Hungarian horse. The coins were designed by applied artist Gábor Kereszthury. Kincsem, the unbeatable ‘wonder mare’, an English Thoroughbred raised in Hungary at the stud farm of Ernő Blaskovich, was the pride of Hungarian horse racing and horse breeding. The racehorse, made world-famous by her sporting successes, competed on 54 occasions in many countries of Europe outside Hungary, and scored 54 victories. In addition to her calm nature, the secret of the horse’s consecutive wins lay in her extraordinary physical abilities and a training plan tailored to her individual traits, which was developed by trainer Róbert Hesp. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the exceptional racehorse, born on 17 March 1874, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank will issue a silver commemorative coin with a face value of HUF 15,000 and a non-ferrous metal coin with a denomination of HUF 3,000, titled ‘Kincsem’. The primary role of the coins is to raise awareness, education and presenting Hungary’s national treasures, with no role in cash circulation. The silver and non-ferrous metal coins have the same design, the only difference being the denominations on them. The obverse of the collector coins bears a portrait of Kincsem at the age of four, with a laurel wreath around her neck, which was inspired by a drawing with accurate dimensions by equestrian painter Emil Adam. The ribbon bouquet on the laurel wreath is inscribed with ’54 FUTAMON 54 GYŐZELEM’ (54 victories at 54 races) in a circular legend, with the inscription ‘54’ placed in the middle, referring to the racing performance of the unbeatable wonder mare. The obverse also features the compulsory elements of the coin: the inscription ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ (Hungary), the denominations ‘15000’ or ‘3000’, the lettering ‘FORINT’, the mint year ‘2024’ and the mint mark ‘BP.’ as well as the designer’s mark of applied artist Gábor Kereszthury. The reverse of the coins bears a full-figure representation of Kincsem at the age of four after an 1878 painting by equestrian painter Emil Adam, capturing the unsurpassable physical gifts of the racehorse. Beside Kincsem stands her master, Ernő Blaskovich. Also featured on the reverse is a representation of the racehorse’s favourite cat, with which she had a special relationship, being her faithful companion during races and travels. The composition is completed by the inscriptions ‘KINCSEM’ and ‘150 ÉVE SZÜLETETT A MAGYAR CSODAKANCA’ (birth of the wonder mare 150 years ago), referring to the occasion of the issue.