Endre Horváth's banknotes are very well known to members of Generation 'X', and perhaps even to Generation 'Y'. He was born on the 3rd of March in 1896 and was a painter, graphic artist, banknote and stamp designer. His paper money was used for six decades and both pengő and forint notes were internationally recognized for their beauty.

He began his studies in the field of law but couldn’t finish because of the First World War. He sent home hand-painted and hand-drawn letters showcasing the frontlines. In 1919, he enrolled at the National Royal Hungarian School of Applied Arts, where he studied graphic arts and graduated with distinction in 1924. Two of his teachers were banknote designers, Ferenc Helbing and Jenő Haranghy, who also taught him practical graphic arts that earned him some extra income, like advertising graphics and posters among other things.

He requested that Helbing submit a proposal for the recruitment of a young professional to join the newly established Mint, with the responsibility of designing and implementing the new currency. Endre Horváth's career at the printing house began as a designer and steel and copper engraver, and he was later appointed to head the Art Department. The printing house eventually became his sole professional focus. At that time, a significant part of the knowledge required for banknote production was not yet available among Hungarian experts, so they were taught by foreign, mainly Austrian, specialists. The Hungarians were taught copper engraving by Rupert Franke, the engraver of several pengő banknotes.

From the mid-1930s onwards, Endre Horváth was responsible for the design and engraving of new banknotes, with a few exceptions. In 1936, he was invited to work at the National Bank of Belgium and teach copper engraving. He designed banknotes for the Belgian Congo, but declined the subsequent job offer and returned to Budapest. 

The markings on the pengő reflect his passion and expertise in folk art. He undertook numerous study trips, primarily in the Palóc region, and later expanded his travels to Transylvania. Upon returning from these expeditions, he brought a rich collection of drawings and photographs. His work is characterised by the depiction of figures in folk costumes and vibrant ornamentation, elements that are prominent in both his banknotes and stamps. The 20 pengő banknote issued in 1941 is widely regarded as the pinnacle of his artistic career. He survived the Second World War in the shelter of the Hungarian National Bank's building on Úri Street, and on 13 April he started work at the printing house. In addition to designing the hyperinflation pengő and then the new currency, the forint, he was also responsible for designing government securities such as plan and peace bonds and passports. Despite his dedication to his work, he neglected his lung disease, which resulted in a two-and-a-half-year stay in a sanatorium.

He returned to the printing press in 1950, a period which saw no new banknotes produced, and so he dedicated himself to designing stamps. In 1954, he spent his holidays in Hollókő, where he drew, painted and took photographs. He was urgently called back to the printing press for a job, but upon his return he could no longer cope with the physical demands of the work. He passed away at his workbench at the age of 58.

Throughout his career, his work was recognised by his peers, and he was honoured with numerous awards. The Hungarian Banknote Printing company has been entrusted with maintaining his professional legacy.

The banknote and coin collection of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank includes several of his unrealised designs and drawings. A selection of these can be found in the permanent exhibition "The Way of Money" at the Money Museum.

The "red" 100 forint was in circulation for the longest time of all the banknotes he designed, as it was used for about forty years.