Hungary 500 Forint Francis II Rákóczi 2022 Pick 202b UNC Banknote
The Hungary 500 Forint 2022 Pick 202b combines one of the most important figures in Hungarian history with one of the country’s best-known Renaissance castles.
The obverse portrays Francis II Rákóczi (II. Rákóczi Ferenc), while the reverse depicts Sárospatak Castle, a residence closely associated with the Rákóczi family.
Measuring 154 × 70 mm, the banknote is printed on cotton-based security paper and incorporates holographic, colour-changing and UV security technologies. Hungary’s central bank confirms that the country’s current notes are printed by the Hungarian Banknote Printing Shareholding Company, using banknote paper manufactured at the Diósgyőr Paper Mill. MNB
Historical Background
Francis II Rákóczi (1676–1735) was a Hungarian nobleman and Prince of Transylvania who became the leader of Rákóczi’s War of Independence (1703–1711) against Habsburg rule.
Although the uprising ultimately failed to secure Hungarian independence, Rákóczi became an enduring symbol of Hungarian national independence and resistance. After the conflict, he spent much of the remainder of his life in exile and died in Tekirdağ, in the Ottoman Empire.
His historical significance has made him a recurring figure on Hungarian currency, and his portrait continues to identify the 500 Forint denomination in the modern series.
Technical Specifications
- Country: Hungary
- Denomination: 500 Forint
- Year: 2022
- Pick Number: P-202b
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: Magyar Nemzeti Bank
- Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
- Material: Cotton-based paper
- Dimensions: 154 × 70 mm
- Portrait: Prince Francis II Rákóczi
- Reverse: Sárospatak Castle
- Printer: Hungarian Banknote Printing Shareholding Company
- Paper Manufacturer: Diósgyőr Paper Mill
- Type: Standard circulation banknote MNB
Obverse
The obverse features:
- Portrait of Prince Francis II Rákóczi
- Coat of Arms of Hungary
- Magyar Nemzeti Bank inscription
- 500 Forint denomination
- Articulated holographic foil
- Colour-changing motif
- Horizontal and vertical serial numbers
- Tactile identification element
The principal design elements are printed using intaglio, creating a raised surface that can be felt on the portrait, denomination, coat of arms and Magyar Nemzeti Bank inscription. MNB
Reverse
The reverse depicts:
- Sárospatak Castle
- Historic architectural scene
- 500 Forint denomination
- Ornamental patterns
- Golden iridescent security stripe
- Hidden image
Located in northeastern Hungary, Sárospatak Castle is strongly connected with the Rákóczi family and is one of Hungary’s notable examples of Renaissance architecture.
The combination of Rákóczi’s portrait and his family’s historic castle creates a direct historical relationship between the two sides of the banknote. The Magyar Nemzeti Bank officially identifies the castle as the reverse subject of the denomination. MNB
Security Features
The modern 500 Forint incorporates an extensive range of anti-counterfeiting features:
- Multi-toned watermark of Francis II Rákóczi
- Lighter 500 electrotype within the watermark
- Embedded security thread with repeating MNB and 500
- Articulated holographic foil featuring Rákóczi and the denomination
- Optically variable ink changing from purple to green
- See-through register forming the letter H
- Golden iridescent stripe with 500 and MNB
- Hidden H image
- Intaglio printing
- Raised tactile identification line
- Microlettering
- UV-A and UV-C security elements
- Fluorescent security fibres
- UV-reactive serial numbers MNB
A particularly attractive UV feature is the image of a mounted Kuruc soldier, which appears in the watermark area under ultraviolet illumination. MNB
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Hungary 500 Forint Francis II Rákóczi 2022 Pick 202b UNC banknote combines Hungarian political history, Renaissance architecture and sophisticated contemporary security technology.
It is particularly suitable for collectors of Hungarian banknotes, European currency, historical leaders, castles on banknotes, modern security features and UNC world paper money.
Collector’s Note
The current 500 Forint design was officially introduced by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank in 2018, retaining the traditional pairing of Francis II Rákóczi on the front and Sárospatak Castle on the reverse while substantially modernising the note’s security technology. MNB
An easy way to distinguish this redesigned generation from earlier 500 Forint notes is the prominent segmented holographic foil on the left side of the obverse and the colour-changing central motif. When tilted, the latter changes clearly from purple to green. MNB
The 2022 Pick 202b therefore represents a later date variety of this modern Rákóczi design, making it useful for collectors assembling Hungary’s contemporary Forint series by year and Pick variety.
