Mosaics of the heritage of ELTE - September 2024

Object of the month - Eötvös Loránd University Commemorative Medal

The image on the obverse shows the portrait of Loránd Eötvös looking to the left. Circular: "SCIENTIARUM UNIVERSITAS BUDAPESTINENSIS DE ROLANDO FIVE NOMINATES". The image on the reverse side shows the coat of arms of the university: a floating arm holding a book in the shape of a Renaissance shield, the inscription "ELTE" above it, the year "1635" at the end of the arm to the right, the shield's head is cut with the colors of the state tricolor, and the base of the shield has wavy double bands.

The original Eötvös plaque was made in square form for the 325th anniversary of the university's founding in 1960, and the round commemorative coin on the reverse was completed in 1977 with a new coat of arms designed for the 200th anniversary of the university's move to Buda. The front cover is designed by goldsmith László Iván, the back cover is designed by graphic artist Ádám András, its professional expert is heraldic Iván Bertényi, and it is made by the State Mint. 1,000 were produced, of which 100 were struck in gold and 200 in silver.

The Eötvös Loránd University Commemorative Medal can be awarded to the leaders of the university who have performed outstanding work at the end of their term of office, or in recognition of their outstanding work spanning at least three decades to those university and college teachers – a maximum of three persons per year – whose legal relationship as a public servant has been terminated due to pension entitlement. The award is presented every year at the univerity’s opening of the academic year ceremony.

Written by Bianka Kovács-Molnár

Source/author of illustration: ELTE Rektori Kabinet / ELTE EKL