Banknotes of the Hungarian forint from 1946 to 2014

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Silver Round Coins on Banknote
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The Hungarian forint has undergone significant changes in its banknotes over the years. From 1946 to 2014, the forint's design and denominations evolved to meet the country's economic needs.

In 1946, the first Hungarian forint banknotes were introduced, featuring portraits of notable Hungarians. These early notes were printed in Budapest and had a distinctive design.

The forint's value increased significantly in the 1950s, leading to the introduction of higher denomination notes. By 1967, the highest denomination note was 10,000 forints.

The 1990s saw a major overhaul of the forint's design, with new security features and a more modern look.

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Early Series

The first series of Hungarian forint banknotes was introduced in 1946, with two denominations: 10 Ft and 100 Ft. These banknotes were poorly printed, leading to a surge in counterfeits.

The 10 Ft banknote was 155 × 71 mm in size and had a dark green main colour. Mihály Pfeffer, a pressman at the Banknote Printing Office, was the model for the illustration on this note.

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Direction Sign in Budapest, Hungary
Credit: pexels.com, Direction Sign in Budapest, Hungary

The 100 Ft banknote was slightly larger, measuring 158 × 72 mm, and had a dark blue main colour. Mrs. János Tőkés (Ms. Gizella Várszegi), an employee of the Banknote Printing Office, posed for the illustration on this note.

Here's a quick rundown of the 1946 series banknotes:

1946

The first series of forint banknotes were put into circulation in 1946 with the denominations of 10 Ft and 100 Ft.

The quality of these banknotes was poor due to offset printing, which led to many counterfeits appearing quickly.

The 10 Ft banknote had a dark green main color and measured 155 × 71 mm in size. It featured an illustration of Mihály Pfeffer, a pressman at the Banknote Printing Office.

The 100 Ft banknote had a dark blue main color and measured 158 × 72 mm in size. It featured an illustration of Mrs. János Tőkés (Ms. Gizella Várszegi), an employee of the Banknote Printing Office.

Hungarian National Gallery
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Here's a comparison of the two banknotes:

The 1946 series of banknotes was put into circulation on June 3, 1946, with the 10 Ft banknote being issued on June 3, 1946, and the 100 Ft banknote being issued on June 3, 1946, as well.

1947 Series

The 1947 Series of banknotes was a significant development in Hungarian currency. These banknotes were printed until 1996 with different coat of arms.

The first series of banknotes in the 1947 Series featured Sándor Petőfi on the obverse side, and János Jankó's painting "Riverside scene" on the reverse. The 10 Ft note had a green main colour and dimensions of 166 × 72 mm.

The first 10 Ft note was issued on 27 February 1947, and it was withdrawn from circulation on 30 September 1992. The last date for its use was 31 December 1993.

The 20 Ft note had a blue main colour, with György Dózsa featured on the obverse side. It had a male nude (posing: pentathlete István Hegedűs) with hammer and ear of wheat on the reverse.

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Photo of the Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of the Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary

The 100 Ft note had a red main colour, with Lajos Kossuth featured on the obverse side. It had Károly Lotz's painting "Flight from the thunderstorm" on the reverse.

Here is a list of the 1947 Series banknotes with their respective coat of arms, main colour, and dimensions:

These different coat of arms were used in the 1947 Series banknotes.

1997 Series

The 1997 series of banknotes was a significant change for Hungary, introducing improved security features and a common size of 154 × 70 mm. This new series was printed by the Hungarian Banknote Printing Corp. in Budapest on paper manufactured by the Diósgyőr Papermill in Miskolc.

The 1000 forint note from this series, without the red metallic strip on the obverse side, was withdrawn from circulation on August 31, 2007, but commercial banks could exchange these notes until August 31, 2027.

The 1997 series included 10,000 Ft notes with a red and blue color scheme, featuring King Stephen I and a view of Esztergom by Hubert Sattler. These notes were first printed in 1997 and remained in circulation until 2019.

Bundle of Assorted-denomination Euro Banknotes
Credit: pexels.com, Bundle of Assorted-denomination Euro Banknotes

Here's a breakdown of the 1997 series banknotes:

2014 Series

The 2014 series of Hungarian forint banknotes is a significant milestone in the country's currency history. It was introduced in 2014 with the 10,000 forint banknote, issued into general circulation on 2 September 2014.

Each banknote in the series features a unique theme and advanced security features. The 500 forint banknote, for example, has a main color of red and features Prince sovereign Ferenc II Rákóczi on the obverse side.

The dimensions of the banknotes vary, with the 500 forint note measuring 154 × 70 mm. The Castle of Sárospatak is depicted on the reverse side of the 500 forint note.

The 1,000 forint banknote has a blue main color and features King Matthias Corvinus on the obverse side. The Hercules Fountain from the Castle of Visegrád is shown on the reverse side.

Here is a summary of the 2014 series banknotes:

Denominations

The Hungarian forint has undergone several denominations over the years. The first forint was introduced in 1946, replacing the pengő.

Forint Banknotes in Close Up
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In 1947, the forint was divided into 100 filler, but this denomination was short-lived, and the forint was revalued in 1949. The revaluation reduced the value of the forint, making it more practical for everyday transactions.

Today, the standard denominations of the Hungarian forint include 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 forint banknotes.

500 Note

The 500 Note is a relatively large denomination, measuring 154mm x 70mm.

The old Hungary 500 Forint note, issued from 1998, depicts Ferenc Rakoczi II and a building.

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1000 Note

The 1000 Forint note is a denomination that was issued in Hungary from 1998. It features King Matyas Corvinus and a fountain in its design.

This note measures 154mm x 70mm, making it a relatively standard size for currency.

2000 Note

The 2000 Forint note is a denomination that was issued in Hungary. It was introduced in 1998.

The old Hungary 2000 Forint note measures 154mm x 70mm.

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10,000

Illuminated at Night Hungarian Parliament Building
Credit: pexels.com, Illuminated at Night Hungarian Parliament Building

The 10,000 Forint note is a unique one. It was issued from 1997 and features a depiction of St Stephen King and a view. The note measures 154mm x 70mm.

20000

The 20000 Forint note is a unique piece of currency from Hungary. It was issued from 1999.

This note measures 154mm x 70mm, making it a distinctive size among other denominations.

Stock Royalty-Free Images

You can find a wide range of stock royalty-free images of Hungarian forint banknotes online.

There are over 1,000 stock photos and images available, featuring different denominations and designs.

Some images showcase the banknotes in close-up views, highlighting their visual appeal and details.

You can also find images of people handling Hungarian forint banknotes, such as a man counting them in a room.

Some images feature the banknotes in unique and creative settings, like in a wallet or among fallen leaves.

The images are available in various formats, including EPS10 vector illustrations and JPEG files of different sizes.

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Hungarian Parliament Building at Dusk
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The images can be easily edited, manipulated, and resized to suit your needs.

You can find images of specific denominations, such as the 20,000 forint banknote, in different versions, including enhanced saturation and original colors.

Some images feature white icons of the banknotes in a flat design style, isolated on a gray background.

Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are valid in the Hungarian forint?

Valid Hungarian forint banknotes include denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10 000, and 20 000 forints

What can I do with old Hungarian currency?

You can exchange old Hungarian forint banknotes for free at cash offices in banks, cooperative banks, and post offices within 3 years of withdrawal. Exchange your old currency to keep it from becoming worthless.

Is Hungarian forint still in use?

Yes, the Hungarian forint is still the official currency of Hungary and in use today. It has been the country's official currency since 1946.

Wallace Brekke

Junior Assigning Editor

Wallace Brekke is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a keen interest in finance and economics, Brekke has honed their skills in assigning and editing articles on a range of topics, including market trends and commodity prices. Brekke's expertise spans a variety of categories, including gold prices and historical commodity prices.

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