The Legacy of the Gold Train - Rebirth of the Hungarian Currency

On August 1, 2026, the Money Museum opened its new temporary exhibition titled “The Legacy of the Gold Train – Rebirth of the Hungarian Currency.” Marking the 80th anniversary of the introduction of the modern forint, the exhibition recounts one of the most dramatic and defining chapters in Hungarian monetary history. At its heart is the story of the Central Bank of Hungary's (MNB) Gold Train—the courageous and decisive mission that safeguarded Hungary's gold reserves during the final months of the Second World War, making it possible to support the country's post-war financial reconstruction and the introduction of the new national currency.

Through 80 carefully selected artifacts, visitors can learn about the circumstances surrounding the birth of the forint and discover iconic, rarely seen details from its eight-decade history. The exhibition brings the era to life through personal memories, archival documents, newsreel clips, video interviews, interactive elements, and a railway interior evoking the history of the Gold Train. Among the special items on display are the Hungarian Mint’s guestbook—related to the introduction of the forint in 1946—a copy of a letter sent by the MNB branch in Spital am Pyhrn to the Americans, the 100-forint banknote featuring a portrait of Kossuth, and a sheet of 1 billion b.-pengő notes.

The exhibition is aimed at those interested in history, numismatics, and design; families and students; and anyone who would like to understand how a country’s currency is linked to trust, memory, and the ability to start anew.

The temporary exhibition is free to visit and does not require registration.

Visits to the Money Museum’s permanent exhibition still require an advance reservation, which you can make directly by clicking the button below: