Budapest’s Elisabeth Bridge, shown on the 50 fillér of 1991, has been born twice. The first, named after Queen Elisabeth of Bavaria, was built in 1897–1903 and blown up by retreating German sappers at the end of the Second World War. The new bridge, austere and unornamented, was built to a design by Pál Sávoly and opened on 21 November 1964.

The bridge first appeared on the 50 fillér in 1967, but by 1991 the legend had changed: MAGYAR KÖZTÁRSASÁG, «Hungarian Republic», in place of the former «People’s Republic». The reverse shows the denomination with leaves and the BP. mint mark. The aluminium 50 fillér did not last long: it was withdrawn from circulation on 30 September 1999.

It is a good fit for a collection of the first coins of post-socialist Hungary or a «bridges on coins» theme. AU-UNC condition: an intermediate grade between almost uncirculated and uncirculated; any wear is barely visible on the highest points of the relief, and lustre remains.

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