Hungarian 1956 Revolution Commemorative

On October 23, the Hungarian Mint released a silver proof commemorative to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the country’s 1956 revolution. 

The obverse of the 2,000-forint, .925-fine silver coin features a shattered Soviet star on cobblestones. The year 1956 is at right, and MAGYARORSZÁG (“Hungary”) and the denomination appear at the bottom left. A quote from László Nagy’s 1953 poem “Gyöngyszoknya” (“Skirt of Pearls”) appears on the obverse, reading “BÉKÉÉRT ESDO˝ ZÁSZLÓK LOBOGNAK” (“Flags that implore peace are hanging”). The torn edges of a flag frame the quote, and the anniversary year is at left.

Available through the Coin & Currency Institute, the commemorative has a limited mintage of 5,000 and costs $124.75.

The Hungarian Revolution

A student demonstration in Budapest on October 23, 1956, kickstarted Hungary’s revolution against the Soviet Union. Hungarians across the country staged peaceful protests demanding political freedom and national self-determination until November 4, 1956, when Soviet forces attacked and crushed the revolution. Roughly 2,500 Hungarians died, and 200,000 fled the country. 

In the late 1980s, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev permitted Hungary to liberalize their political and economic systems, allowing for capitalism and private property. Hungary declared independence on October 23, 1989, unopposed by Gorbachev, and the country became a democratic republic.