Obverse. Photo © Hungarian Mint
  • 20 000 Forint 2025, Hungary, National Parks of Hungary, Aggtelek National Park
  • 20 000 Forint 2025, Hungary, National Parks of Hungary, Aggtelek National Park
Description

Aggtelek National Park, established in 1985 and covering around 20,000 hectares in northeastern Hungary along the Slovakian border, is one of the country’s most unique natural areas. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is renowned for its spectacular karst landscape and extensive cave system, especially the Baradla Cave—Central Europe’s longest stalactite cave, stretching over 25 kilometers and extending into Slovakia. This underground wonder features remarkable stalactite formations, vast chambers, and even a concert hall with outstanding acoustics.

Beyond its subterranean marvels, the park also boasts gorges, meadows, and forests that provide habitats for over 200 bird species, rare mammals, and protected plants. Aggtelek National Park is a haven for hikers, nature lovers, and geology enthusiasts, offering well-marked trails, cave tours, and educational programs. Additionally, the surrounding villages preserve rich folk traditions, particularly of the Palóc culture, adding cultural depth to the natural beauty.

Engraver: Boglárka Imrei

Obverse

Depicts a landscape highlighting the karst terrain typical of Aggtelek National Park, prominently featuring the Tornai vértő flower—one of Europe’s 100 rarest protected plant species. The inscription “NATIONAL PARK AGGTELEK” is positioned along the upper edge, while “TORNAI VÉRTŐ” appears in the lower left. The engraver’s privy mark is located in the lower right corner.

The Tornai vértő (Fumana procumbens subsp. magyarica) is a rare and endemic plant species that grows exclusively in the Tornai Karst, Slovak Karst, and Aggtelek Karst regions. This small subshrub, with its delicate yellow flowers, thrives in dry, rocky grasslands and on limestone outcrops, favoring sunny, south-facing slopes with sparse vegetation. Its extremely limited geographic range and fragile habitat make it a symbol of the unique biodiversity of karst landscapes and a priority for conservation efforts. In Hungary, it is strictly protected and carries a conservation value of 250,000 forints. Threatened by natural overgrowth, human activity, and landscape changes, protecting its environment and managing vegetation are essential for its survival. The Tornai vértő stands as a botanical treasure and a testament to the ecological richness of Aggtelek National Park and its surroundings.

AGGTELEKI NEMZETI PARK
TORNAI VÉRTŐ

Reverse

Depicts a spotted salamander set within its natural environment. The inscription “SPOTTED SALAMANDER” appears above to the right, while “HUNGARY” is inscribed along the top edge. At the lower left, arranged in three lines, are the coin’s denomination, the word “FORINT,” and the mint mark “BP.” followed by the year of issue, “2025.”

The spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), featured on the coin as the heraldic animal of Aggtelek National Park, is a striking amphibian known for its dark body adorned with bright yellow or orange spots running down its back. Native to parts of North America, it is often confused with the European fire salamander due to similar coloration, but they are different species. The spotted salamander spends most of its life hidden underground or under moist forest debris, emerging primarily during rainy nights in early spring to breed in vernal pools. Its appearance on the coin symbolizes the park’s dedication to preserving unique and sensitive species within its biodiverse karst ecosystem.

MAGYARORSZÁG
FOLTOS SZALAMANDRA
20000
FORINT
BP. 2025

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 31.46 g
Diameter -
Width 39.6 mm
Height 26.4 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape rectangular
Alignment Medal
Mint
Budapest Mint (BP)

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