Exploring the History of Money in Nagybajom
“From Ringing Gold Forints to Silent Banknotes” – is the title of the exciting, innovative lecture series launching in the spring of 2026, realized through the close cooperation of the students from the Csányi Foundation’s Nagybajom Community House and the Municipality of the City of Nagybajom.
Hungarian numismatics and monetary history have recently reached several significant jubileums: in 2025, we celebrated the 700th anniversary of the minting of the first Hungarian gold florins, and in 2026, our national currency, the Forint, will be 80 years old. On the occasion of these milestones, as well as the 25th anniversary of Nagybajom being declared a city, a special scientific and educational program series begins.
Maintaining contact with local communities plays a prominent role in the life of the Csányi Foundation. In the joint organization of representative Ernő Szabó and the Nagybajom groups of the Foundation, a lecture series is launching that holds interesting facts for everyone, from the youngest to university students.
The program runs on two tracks: at the scientific lectures held in the Assembly Hall of the City Hall, the Foundation’s high school and university students can delve into the mysteries of numismatics together with the adult audience.
For the youngest, however, the gate to the past opens in a familiar environment, at the Csányi Foundation’s Community House. In March 2026, the youngest (5th-grade students) can participate in an unconventional, 2×1-hour session. Ernő Szabó will bring the world of money closer to the children seasoned with interactive presentations, tales, and legends, where “source analysis” and practical demonstrations aid playful learning.
In the showcases set up during the lectures, participants can also admire genuine numismatic rarities; the dates and topics of these lectures are:
- March 26, 2026, 17:00: Péter Berzy: Celtic Coins in Hungary (Location: Assembly Hall of the Municipality).
- April 16, 2026, 17:00: Máté Varga: Medieval Hungarian Minting (Location: Assembly Hall of the Municipality).
- May 07, 2026, 17:00: Ernő Szabó: The Rákóczi War of Independence in the Mirror of Numismatics (Location: Assembly Hall of the Municipality).
This initiative is not only about the past but also about the future: our students’ horizons broaden, their critical perspective develops, and while they get to know one of the important pillars of our national identity, Hungarian monetary history, they also become part of the celebratory year of the city of Nagybajom.
We look forward to welcoming everyone interested!