I created this page as a comprehensive guide for foreign coin collectors visiting Hungary, as well as for anyone interested in Hungarian elongated coins and commemorative souvenir coins.
What can you find on the preselterme.hu website?
Exchange, buying and selling elongated coins in Hungary
Whenever I go for coins, I always buy multiple sets so I can trade with other collectors. If you would like Hungarian coins, feel free to contact me via the contact form or at info@preselterme.hu. On the exchange, buying and selling page you can find some of my extra sets, but for the current (and more complete) list, don’t hesitate to reach out!
If you’re planning to visit Budapest or travel to Hungary, feel free to get in touch beforehand. We can arrange to meet for a coin exchange, whether at the airport or somewhere else. I live just a few kilometers from Budapest Airport (BUD), so I can even meet you there when you arrive. That way, the exchange won’t take any extra time out of your trip.
It’s always a pleasure to meet fellow collectors in person!
Database of elongated coin machines in Hungary (with map)
I try to keep the data on the Elongated Coin Map and Search site as up to date as possible, because as a collector I know how frustrating it can be when you can’t find a machine where it should be.
Here you can view important information about each machine in a table, including details such as location, availability, and machine type, while on the map you can find their exact locations (marked in green!) so you can easily plan your visit and never miss a machine again.
Full list of commemorative coin machines in Hungary (all locations)
You can access the collectible coins database by clicking here.
Here you can see detailed information about each machine in a table format, while the map helps you easily locate them, with each machine clearly marked in red for quick orientation and simple navigation.
Hungarian elongated coin catalog
You can also find two pressed penny catalogs on the website.
- A currently available catalog of Hungarian elongated coins, organized by county. This catalog makes it easy to explore all currently available Hungarian coins in a clear, structured way. By organizing the coins by county, it helps collectors quickly find pieces from specific regions and better understand the geographical distribution of machines across the country.
- A catalog of all active and retired coins. This catalog provides a complete overview of both currently active and retired coins, allowing collectors to explore the full history of designs in one place. It’s especially useful for tracking changes over time and seeing which coins are still in circulation and which ones are no longer available.
Commemorative souvenir coin database
You can access the Commemorative souvenir coin database catalog here. Here you can find photos of all current and former commemorative souvenir coins, making it easy to explore the full collection and see how the designs have evolved over time.
Blog
Useful articles, tips, and guides that help coin collectors in their everyday activities and make collecting more enjoyable and easier to navigate. Click here to go to the blog!
About me
If you’re curious about who is behind the website, check out my introduction, where you can learn more about my background, my passion for collecting elongated coins, and how this project started.
Elongated coin machine rental and purchase
If you are looking to enhance your location with an elongated coin machine or medal vending machine, both rental and purchase options are available.
These machines are ideal for tourist attractions, museums, exhibitions, and entertainment venues where visitors enjoy collecting souvenir coins or medals as keepsakes.
You can choose between short-term or long-term rental depending on your needs, or purchase a machine for permanent installation. Each option is flexible and can be tailored to the location, visitor traffic, and operational requirements.
The machines are designed to be durable, reliable, and easy to operate, providing a fun and interactive experience for visitors while generating additional revenue for the host location.
For more details or a personalized offer, feel free to get in touch.
The history of elongated coins in Hungary
Elongated coins began to spread in Hungary in the early 2000s, when the first machines appeared at several tourist attractions and museums. These machines quickly attracted visitors’ attention, as they offered a small, affordable, yet personal souvenir that could be made on-site.
Over the years, more and more of these machines were installed in locations such as castles, zoos, thermal baths, and exhibitions. Among collectors, a community soon formed that not only collects the coins themselves, but also documents the exact locations of the machines and the different designs.
Today, elongated coins are no longer just simple souvenirs, but part of a modern collecting culture in Hungary that continues to grow and evolve. Collectors actively track designs, locations, and machine placements, while new pieces are regularly added, keeping the hobby dynamic and engaging for both locals and visitors.
Elongated coins vs pressed pennies and common terminology
An elongated coin and a pressed penny essentially refer to the same concept: a coin that is flattened and stretched by a machine’s rollers while a design or inscription is imprinted onto its surface.
The term “pressed penny” is mainly used in the United States, where it originally referred to machines that used one-cent coins. In contrast, “elongated coin” is a more general, international term that describes any souvenir coin made by flattening and elongating a base coin.
Other commonly used synonyms and names include:
- souvenir coin
- pressed coin
- rolled coin
- squished coin (less common, informal)
- machine-pressed coin
In Hungary, the most commonly used term is “préselt emlékérme”, while in the international collecting community, elongated coin is the most widely accepted and precise term.
Contact
If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me. I respond to every inquiry!