Perhaps the most important function of banks is the preservation of values, which in the case of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank is one of its primary objectives, both literally and figuratively. Our country's history has bequeathed an inexhaustible wealth of intellectual values to future generations, and it is the task of today's society to preserve them. With this responsibility in mind, the central bank has created a unique collection of banknotes and coins, which will provide future generations with comprehensive knowledge about a particularly important part of our country's past: the history of the means of payment that have paved the way for the development of the Hungarian economy.
The special artifacts of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank are not only culturally significant, but also of exceptional value in scientific terms. The numismatic collection includes numerous historically significant coins, paper money, and unique rarities. Among many other interesting items, visitors can see gold forints from the era of the mixed-house kings, ducats of the Habsburg kings, various thalers, and surviving artifacts from the Rákóczi War of Independence and the 1848–49 revolution and war of independence. Transylvania, as a separate part of the country during the Turkish era, has a wealth of rich and valuable coins. The most special items in this collection are the fivefold gold coin of Mózes Székely and the silver coin of György Rákóczi II. Several medieval Hungarian coins and Transylvanian Hungarian coins from the collection can be admired during the exhibition. The descriptions of individual items in the collection can also be viewed under the Banknotes and Coin Collection menu item. The collection is currently being digitized, and the descriptions of the banknotes and coins in the collection available on our website are regularly expanded.
In addition to banknotes and coins, the Money Museum has also assembled a unique collection of special and emblematic objects from banking history. Among other things, the museum displays a fully mechanical interest calculator – which is essentially an early calculator – and visitors can also admire the first ledger of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank.
If you would like to conduct research in the museum's collections, the first step is to study the institution's Research Regulations. You can then initiate your research by filling out the "Research Permit" application and submitting it electronically (kutatas@penzmuzeum.hu). You will be notified when your permit has been granted, after which you can arrange an appointment with the collection managers.
Research days are Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The documents required for research—Research Regulations, Research Permit, Researcher's Declaration, and Research Fees—can be downloaded from the museum's website.
The PÉM numismatic library can be visited by appointment at konyvtar@penzmuzeum.hu.
The documents required for the research:
Research regulations
Research permit for the Money Museum
Researchers statement
Photograph publication fees