500 Forint Béla Bartók
Artifact ID1982.00882.02
Object Type
Coin
Gifter
Jozsef Marjai
Artist
László Kutas
(Hungarian artist, born 1936)
Artist
György Bognár
(Hungarian artist)
Date
1981
Medium
Metal (silver)
Dimensions1 9/16 × 1/16 in., 0.88 oz. (40 × 2.3 mm, 25 g)
Physical DescriptionA silver 500 forint coin commemorating the centennial of the birth of Béla Bartók.
The obverse has a bas-relief of a wooden headboard and a staff of music depicting the beginning notes of the composition "Allegro Barbaro" by Béla Bartók, sculpted by György Bognár. With text stating “MAGYAR NEPKOZTARSASAC BGY 500 FORINT 1981 BP.”
The coin's reverse has a bas-relief of the head and shoulders of Béla Bartók, wearing a hat, laid over the continents, with text stating BARTOK BELA 1881-1945." Designed by László Kutas.Historical NoteSilver medallion commemorating Béla Bartók (March 25, 1881 – September 26, 1945), the Hungarian composer and pianist. It was minted in Budapest, Hungary. Bartók is regarded, along with Liszt, as Hungary's greatest composer. It was given during a luncheon with Soviet immigrants in the Family Dining Room at the White House May 11, 1982.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Foreign Officials (National Archives Identifier 6816364)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
Country/CultureHungaryIn Collection(s)
Related Links
Photograph: Luncheon for a Group of Soviet Immigrants in the Family Dining Room 05/11/1982 c07931-01 c07936-01 c07938-03
Numista entry