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The National Ambulance Service is the largest ambulance and medical institution in Hungary, and has been in operation for 75 years. The origins of organised emergency lifesaving date back to the second half of the 19th century in Hungary, where in 1887 organised lifesaving was one of the first to be launched in Europe. The Voluntary Ambulance Association was founded in Budapest at the initiative of Géza Kresz, a doctor in the district. A nationwide network of ambulance stations was established after the First World War in 1926. After the establishment of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) on 10 May 1948, the ambulance service became unified and controlled by the state. Up from 76, established in 1926, there are now 256 ambulance stations in the country to provide effective patient care. The Hungarian system has distinctive features. Paramedic training is offered in colleges only in Hungary. The National Ambulance Service considers it’s a priority to provide on-site care: paramedics make every effort to stabilise the patient on the spot, which requires state-of-the-art equipment and high level of expertise.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NAS, the MNB is issuing a silver collector coin of 15,000 forints and a non-ferrous metal version of 3,000 forints, observing the Day of the Rescuers, celebrated on 10 May, the day of the founding of the NAS.
The MNB pays tribute to the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the NAS by issuing a silver collector coin with a face value of 15,000 forints and its non-ferrous metal version of 3,000 forints. The coin designs of the coins are identical with their denominations being the only difference.
In a slightly asymmetrical composition on the obverse, a part of the Cross of Constantine, the worldwide symbol of rescuers and life-saving, appears, thereby lending an international aspect to the theme. In the lower legend, the motto of the National Ambulance Service ‘HIVATÁS AZ ÉLETÉRT’ (Mission for Life) is inscribed. The design is complemented by the compulsory elements, placed to the right of the Cross of Constantine in two lines: the inscription ‘MAGYARORSZÁG’ and the denominations ‘15000’ and ‘3000’ FORINT, and below the representation also in two lines the mint mark ‘BP.’ and the minting year ‘2023.
The motifs on the reverse emphasize NAS's unique feature in international comparison, namely that its area of operation spans across the whole country. In the centre of the reverse, the map
Both collector coins have a diameter of 38.61 mm with a reeded edge. The silver coin with a face value of 15,000 forints is struck in .925 fine silver and weighs 31.46 grams. The non-ferrous metal coin with a face value of 3,000 forints is produced from an alloy of copper (75%) and nickel (25%) and weighs 30.80 grams. 5,000 pieces can be made of the silver collector coin in proof finish and 5,000 pieces of the non-ferrous version in BU finish. of Hungary is shown in a modern, crystal-like design, featuring the national network of ambulance stations, with the points on the map representing the location of each station. The lower right part of the map is covered by the NAS logo. In a legend at the top, the inscriptions ‘ORSZÁGOS MENTŐSZOLGÁLAT’ (National Ambulance Service) is seen with the lettering ‘ALAPÍTVA 1948’ (founded in 1948) at the bottom. The designer’s mark of sculptor Mercédesz Molnár is positioned below the map on the right. |
