1235) Chinese Horoscope - 2020, Year of the Rat, Hungary: Four Stamps in the denominations of HUF 400 (or 400 Hungarian Forints each) brought out by Magyar Posta (Hungarian Post): Stamp set issue date: 05.02.2020:

1235) Chinese Horoscope - 2020, Year of the Rat, Hungary: Four Stamps in the denominations of HUF 400 (or 400 Hungarian Forints each) brought out by Magyar Posta (Hungarian Post): Stamp set issue date: 05.02.2020:

For the seventh time, Magyar Posta (Hungarian Post) has issued a special Miniature Sheet (MS) of two pairs of stamps using motifs from the Chinese Horoscope. 

The period 25.01.2020 until 11.02.2021 is the "Year of the Rat" associated with the element metal.

According to the Chinese Horoscope, the period of the element metal brings determination, relentlessness, as well as, innovations and advanced technology to the world.

The Rat has negative associations to the Western thought, but for the ancient Chinese, it was a symbol of intelligence, abundance and well-being, thus they believed that the "Year of the Rat" could bring financial security and prosperity for them.

The Stamps:

The First Day Cover (FDC), at left bottom shows pictograms of the 12 animals of the Zodiac, which form a circle with the head of the Rat and the year 2020, highlighted from the rest at the top. In the centre is mentioned "A PATKANY EVE" (meaning "On the eve of an important day/event").

At top right are affixed the four stamps issued in the set. In the special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark, the symbol of happiness appears.

In the centre is mentioned "Magyar Posta", "First Day". The Cancellation is of Budapest Post Office and is dated - "05.02.2020".

The Miniature Sheet (MS) issued on the occasion consisting of four postage stamps of 400 Hungarian Forints each, two placed upright and two placed upside down. The inscriptions on the Stamp set are - "MAGYARORSZAG" (meaning "Republic of Hungary"), "A Patkany eve" and "400 Ft".

The technical specifications:

Issue date: 05.02.2020

Designer: Andras Szunyoghy Jr.

Printer: ANY Biztonsagi Nyomda Nyrt

Process: Offset

Colours: 4 Colours

Stamp Sizes: 26.0 mm x 24.75 mm (x 4 variants/stamps)

Miniature Sheet (MS) Size: 70.0 mm x 70.0 mm

Stamp values: HUF 400 (x 4 variants/stamps) 

Links to posts on Hungarian Coins, Currency & Stamps on this Blog:

1) Currency and Coinage of Hungary: Forints & Fillers: Forint "Papirpenz" (Banknotes) and Forint "Ermek" (Coins) in Hungarian

2) Janos Arany: Commemorating the Bicentenary of his birth with a set of 3 coins: 5000 Forint, 10000 Forint Silver coin and 2000 Forint Base Metal Coin by Magyar Nemzeti Bank on 03.03.2017

3) Bukk National Park, Hungary" Fourth in the Hungarian National Park Series launched in 2010: Two coins Silver HUF 10000 (Forints) and Base Metal HUF 2000 (Forints) issued on 21.04.2017

4) Janos Iriniyi: Inventor of the noiseless & non-explosive match: 200th Birth anniversary commemorated on 2000 Forint (cupro-nickel) rectangular coin ; Issue date: 18.05.2017  

5) Jules Verne's Captain Nemo of the submarine Nautilus: Four postage stamps brought out in the denominations of HUF 480 + 150 under its series titled "About the Youth 2019": Stamps issue date: 05.04.2019

6) The World of Bakony Dinosaurs, Magyar Posta (Hungary Post): A set of six stamps of 120 Forint each: Stamp issue date: 03.09.2018

7) Working Dogs: Magyar Posta (Hungary Post) has issued a set of four Postage Stamps of 215 HUF each, highlighting the contributions of well-known Working Dogs in the service of humanity: Stamp set issue date: 08.07.2019:

8) Hungarian Viszla Dog Breed, Hungary: "Hungarian Sheep and Hunting Dogs Breeds Coin Series": First Coin in the Series issued by the National Bank of Hungary: Coin issue date: 09.09.2019