Next week, on October 4th, we’ll see the launch of the third issue in the “Hungarian sheep and hunting dog breeds” coin series, the Magyar Agar or Hungarian Greyhound.
The first two coins in this series; the Komondor and the Vizsla, sold out mintages of 10,000 pieces within days. A stellar success for the Hungarian Mint in Budapest, this working dog series has been popular the world over with breeders and owners.
This third coin follows the pattern of the first two, offering images of the Magyar Agar of Hungarian Greyhound on both sides of this legal tender 2,000 forint coin. There is a profile of the dog on the obverse, and a pair running in a field with a hunter on horseback on the reverse. Just like the first coins in the series, this piece is struck on a 34 millimeter diameter copper-nickel-zinc planchet, weighing 16 grams. The proof-like strike makes these coins quite attractive and the themes make them extremely popular.
The maximum mintage will remain set at 10,000 coins and sales may proceed very quickly, so a prudent collector will want to preorder their coin in advance. From the release date of October 4th the price will be $19.95 each with five or more securing a wholesale like discount of $17.95 apiece. Once sold out, collectors will have to turn to the secondary market, where prices for earlier issues in the series have risen quickly and stayed well above issue price.
You can buy Hungarian coins directly from the Mint in Budapest or through the Coin & Currency Institute in North America online at http://www.coin-currency.com/hungary-2021.html at the prices mentioned above, while they last. But we recommend that you place a preorder before the launch date to be sure of securing an example before they sell out.
As I mentioned, on the secondary market the first two coins in the series have risen and held their post issue values. Shortly after the initial release of the Komondor, I recall seeing pieces selling on eBay for about $30-$35 and lately they have been going for $40-$45. Add in some steep international shipping costs and you’re looking at $55-$60.
The Vizsla coins have become even more difficult to find, since that breed has a much wider base of international popularity. You rarely encounter the Vizsla coin in the secondary market and when you do, it will cost you upwards of $130 to $150. That’s a shocking increase in value of six to seven times its release price just one year after issue.
Originating in Hungary in the 9th century the Magyar Agar is a bit
longer and stouter than other Greyhounds. Traditionally known as hunting
dogs, they also make good watchdogs and perfect companions for today’s
active lifestyle families.
All coins in the “Hungarian sheep and hunting dog breeds” coin series thus far have been breeds originating in Hungary. That, of course, is the intent of the series, to honor Hungarian breeds. But it only takes a little research and reading to realize that these dog breeds of Hungarian origin have found themselves transported and nurtured in many other parts of the world, particularly after the suffering endured during World War II, when some of them faced the end of the line due to dwindling populations.
Those post WWII migrations are the reason this coin series has been so widely popular right out the gate. The breeds have found their way to many new regions of the world and their proponents are as loyal and loving as the dogs themselves.