100 pengö 1944
Market Prices
46 salesAbout This Note
This is a stunning UNC example of Hungary's 100 Pengö note from 1944 (Pick P-112), featuring the iconic portrait of King Matthias I rendered in elegant profile within an ornate decorative frame. The note displays the characteristic mauve and pink color scheme of this design, with exceptional clarity and sharpness throughout the intricate engraving work. The pristine condition with virtually no visible wear makes this a desirable specimen for collectors of interwar Hungarian currency.
Common. The eBay sales data provided shows consistent trading activity across multiple condition grades spanning over a decade (2013-2025), with UNC examples selling in the $8-$11 range historically and PMG-graded specimens (64-66) typically fetching $20-$52. The abundance of comparable sales transactions and the fact that UNC examples regularly appear on the market indicate this is a readily available note among collectors, despite its historical significance.
Issued by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank starting July 1, 1930, this banknote commemorates King Matthias I (Mátyás Király), one of Hungary's most celebrated medieval monarchs known for his military prowess and cultural patronage. The elaborate coat of arms flanked by angelic figures and the inclusion of the Royal Palace imagery reflect Hungary's attempts to invoke historical prestige during the interwar period, a time of significant political and economic instability in Central Europe following World War I.
The obverse features a tri-partite composition with the Hungarian coat of arms (shield with heraldic elements) flanked by two winged angelic figures on the left section. The center displays the denomination 'SZÁZPENGŐ' in elaborate decorative lettering with institutional and date information below. The right section showcases King Matthias I in left-facing profile portrait, a historically significant Hungarian ruler from the 15th century, enclosed within an ornate rectangular frame. The note employs extensive decorative elements including cross motifs, twisted rope/chain borders, multiple crown symbols, and fine geometric and floral patterns throughout. The color palette of mauve, pink, and cream on a dark purple background creates a formal, authoritative appearance befitting a high-denomination note.
Front side: '100' and 'SZÁZ' (Hundred) appear as denomination markers; 'SZÁZPENGŐ' (Hundred Pengő) in large decorative text; 'BUDAPEST.1930 ÉVI JÚLIUS HÓ-TÓL' (Budapest, from July 1930); 'MAGYARNEMZETIBANK' (Hungarian National Bank); 'MATYAS KIRALY' (King Matthias); 'A BANKNEGYEK UTÁNZÁSÁÉRT TÖRVÉNYSZABTA BÜNTETÉS JAR' (Counterfeiting banknotes is punishable by law); signature lines for 'ELÖIGAZGATÓ' (Director), 'FŐTANÁCSOS' (Chief Counselor), and 'VEZÉRIGAZGATÓ' (General Director). Serial number format: *E 088 015994.
Intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the fine line work, cross-hatching patterns, and complex ornamental detailing visible throughout the design. The multiple denomination markers, security features through decorative complexity, and the crisp, sharp detail of the portrait and heraldic elements are characteristic of high-quality intaglio production employed by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank for currency of this period.
Serial number variant observed: *E 088 015994. This note represents the standard design issued from July 1, 1930 onward. The asterisk prefix on the serial number indicates this specific printing batch or series. PMG has catalogued this as a single variant for Pick P-112, suggesting minimal variation among circulating examples. The 1944 date in the catalog designation refers to later printings/overprints of this base 1930 design during World War II, when Hungary continued using this denomination despite the currency's deteriorating value.
