Euro gold and silver commemorative coins are special euro coins minted and issued by member states of the Eurozone, mainly in gold and silver, although other precious metals are also used in rare occasions. Finland was one of the first twelve countries in the Eurozone that introduced the euro (€) on 1 January 2002. Since then, the Mint of Finland Ltd. have been minting both normal issues of Finnish euro coins, which are intended for circulation, and commemorative euro coins in gold and silver.
These special coins have a legal tender only in Finland, unlike the normal issues of the Finnish euro coins, which have a legal tender in every country of the Eurozone. This means that the commemorative coins made of gold and silver cannot be used as money in other countries. Furthermore, as their bullion valuePrecious metals in bulk form are known as bullion, and are traded on international regulated markets. Bullion metals may be cast into ingots, or minted into coins. The defining attribute of bullion is that it is valued by its mass and purity rather than by a face value as money. generally vastly exceeds their face value, these coins are not intended to be used as means of payment at all—although it remains possible. For this reason, they are usually named Collectors' coins.
The coins usually commemorate the anniversaries of historical events or draw attention to current events of special importance. Finland mints four of these coins on average per year, in both gold and silver, with face value ranging from 5 to 100 euros.
Summary
As of 2 October 2008, 26 variations of Finnish commemorative coins have been minted: three in 2002, four in 2003, three in 2004, four in 2005, five in 2006, four in 2007, four in 2008 and one in 2009 so far. These special high-value commemorative coins are not to be confused with €2 commemorative coins, which are coins designated for circulation and do have legal tender status in all countries of the Eurozone.
The following table shows the number of coins minted per year. In the first section, the coins are grouped by the metal used, while in the second section they are grouped by their face value.
Year Issues By metal By face value gold silver Others €100 €50 €20 €10 €5 2002 3 2003 4 2004 3 2005 4 2006 5 2007 4 2008 4 2009 1 Total 28 7 15 6 4 2 1 15 6
2002 coinage First Finnish gold euro Designer: Toivo Jaatinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €100 Alloy: Au 900 (Gold) Quantity: 25,000 Quality: Proof Issued: 2002 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €295 This coin is also called Gold Mining in Lapland. On the obverse, it shows a waterfall in a forest. On the reverse, the midnight sun above a lake in Lapland can be observed. Elias Lönnrot and folklore Designer: Pertti Mäkinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 40,000 40,000 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 2002 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €35-€45 €39.95 The obverse depicts a woven ribbon with the twelve stars of Europe. Finland in Finnish (Suomi) and Swedish are displayed at the bottom of the coin, with the face value of 10 euro in the right up corner.
On the reverse, a feather (as a symbol of an author) and Elias Lönnrot's signature can be seen. The Finnish word kansanrunous (People's Poetry) can be observed on this side of the coin. 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Olympic Games Designer: Erkki Vainio & Hannu Veijalainen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 10,000 34,800 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 2002 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €44.95 €44.95 In the Obverse, the Olympic Flame above the Earth can be seen. Note that Finland is the only country highlighted on earth, as a representation of the host of these games.
On the reverse, a view of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium can be seen. On the right, the 500 markka commemorative coin minted in 1952 celebrating the occasion is depicted.
2003 coinage Ice Hockey World Championships 2003 Designer: Pertti Mäkinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €5 Alloy: Disk: Cu (Copper) & Ni (Nickel) Ring: Al (Aluminium) & Pr (Bronze) Quantity: 150,000 Quality: BU Issued: 2003 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €25 In the obverse, a lake landscape with three trees can be observed. Finland in Finnish and Swedish, with the face value of 5 euro are depicted in the bottom part of the coin.
On the reverse, three ice hockey sticks with a puck can be seen. Notice the number of elements (three) repeated twice, in both sides of the coin, as a representation of the year this coin was minted. Finnish Numismatic Art Designer: Matti Peltokangas Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €50 Alloy: Disk: Au 750 (Gold) Ring: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 10,600 Quality: Proof Issued: 2003 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €250-€290 The snowflake featured on both sides of the coin symbolizes the country's northern location, where the designs spill over from the gold core to the silver ring. The beads around the border are a traditional design element in Finnish numismatic art, dating back to the gold coins of 1878.
The reverse features another design of snowflake surrounded by beads. Anders Chydenius Designer: Tero Lounas Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 30,000 30,000 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 26 February 2003 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €33-€65 €38.95 This commemorative coin was minted in honour of the life work of Anders Chydenius. The year 2003 marked the 200th anniversary of the death of Chydenius, who served as, among other things, a priest, economist, and parliament member.
The obverse features an open book, referring to Chydenius's numerous publications and the Bible. A traditional village with a church and other buildings can be seen on the reverse. Mannerheim and Saint Petersburg Designer: Anneli Sipiläinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 7,100 27,900 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 2003 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €33-€69 €40-€65 The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.
The reverse of the coin features a view of Saint Petersburg, with the Peter and Paul Fortress and its three turrets. In the coin the words "St. Petersburg 1703–2003" can be seen.
2004 coinage Albert Edelfelt and painting Designer: Pertti Mäkinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €100 Alloy: Au 900 (Gold) Quantity: 15,000 Quality: Proof Issued: 2004 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €250-€340 The obverse of the coin features a hanging flower and a corner of a fan, both symbols of beauty.
The reverse shows an embossed face of the artist. Johan Ludvig Runeberg and Finnish Poetry Designer: Heli Kauhanen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 6,500 23,500 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 2004 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €33-€50 €38.5 The obverse of the coin features a stylized portrait of Runeberg's face.
The reverse features an 1831 font sample from Helsingfors Tidningar – a Swedish-language newspaper – since Runeberg wrote most of his work in Swedish, representing his versatile literary talent. Tove Jansson and Finnish Children's Culture Designer: Pertti Mäkinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 50,000 20,000 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 2004 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €33-€51 €38.95 The obverse depicts Tove Jansson, the skyline, an artist's palette, a crescent, and a sailboat.
The reverse design features three Moomin characters; Moomintroll, The Snork Maiden, and Little My.
2005 coinage 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics Designer: Pertti Mäkinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €20 Alloy: Au 900 (Gold) Quantity: 30,000 Quality: Proof Issued: 17 May 2005 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €90 This coin was the first coin celebrating the 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics arranged in Helsinki in August 2005. The coin was issued in a sporty atmosphere. The coin was launched by javelin thrower Aki Parviainen and hammer thrower Olli-Pekka Karjalainen.
The obverse of the coin features Helsinki Olympic Stadium and above the stadium random waves express the feeling of the games. On the reverse are two faces with twelve euro stars on their hairs. 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics Designer: Tapio Kettunen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €5 Alloy: Center: Cu (Copper) & Ni (Nickel) Ring: Al (Aluminium) & Pr (Bronze) Quantity: 175,000 Quality: BU Issued: 04.08.2005 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €14.95 This coin was minted to celebrate Finland's World Champion's in Athletics tournament. Fitting into the theme, on the obverse of the coin, a javelin thrower is depicted. On the reverse, legs of hurdle runners with the Helsinki Olympic Stadium tower in the background can be seen. 60 Years of Peace Designer: Pertti Mäkinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 5,000 55,000 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 2005 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €32.50 €32-€59 The obverse of the coin shows a dove carrying a twig in its beak. Below is the chain from which the dove has broken free, as well as the symbol of the Europa Coins Programme.
The reverse of the coin is divided into two parts, where the lower part symbolizes the frosted ground and wartime, and the top part symbolizes the bright sky and peace. From the harsh ground, where only thorns have previously grown, a plant blooms as it grows and stretches for the freedom of the surface. The Unknown Soldier and Finnish Cinematographic Art Designer: Reijo Paavilainen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 25,000 15,000 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 2005 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €38.50 €39.50 The obverse features a battlefield trench carved in the pattern of a soldier's face and helmet in profile. The Finnish phrase tuntematon sotilas (unknown soldier) can be seen in this side of the coin.
The reverse has an embossed uniformed soldier standing at attention, shaped as a filmstrip.
2006 coinage Finnish EU Presidency 2006 Designer: Reijo Paavilainen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €5 Alloy: Center: Cu (Copper) & Ni (Nickel) Ring: Al (Aluminium) & Pr (Bronze) Quantity: 100,000 Quality: BU Issued: 2006 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €13-€15 Finnish EU Presidency 2006 Designer: Reijo Paavilainen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €50 Alloy: Center: Au 750 (Gold) Ring: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 8,000 Quality: Proof Issued: 2006 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €295 These two coins feature a silver colored center and gold colored ring, made with two different materials giving them their respective values.
On the obverse, a negotiation table, symbolized by the rectangular eminence, depicts the Presidency. The vertical text SUOMI – FINLAND and the horizontal year date (2006), together form a stylized gavel can be seen. There are balloons on the sides, filled with compositions of letters.
The uniqueness design of this coin is that the pictorial subject of the reverse imitates the theme of the obverse. The entire pattern is made up of letters. Looking carefully you see a human face and balloons as well. 150th Anniversary of Demilitarisation of Åland Islands Designer: Pertti Mäkinen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €5 Alloy: Nordic Gold Quantity: 55,000 Quality: BU Issued: 2006 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €13-€15 The obverse depicts a pine tree, very typical in Åland. The reverse design features a boat's stern and rudder, with a dove perched on the tiller, a symbol of 150 years of peace.
A characteristic of this coin is that the text "150 years" and "the demilitarisation of Åland" is written on the obverse of the coin in Swedish, and on the edge of the coin in Finnish. Johan Vilhelm Snellman Designer: Tapio Kettunen Mint: Mint of Finland Ltd. Value: €10 Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) Quantity: 7,000 48,000 Quality: BU Proof Issued: 2006 Diameter: Weight: Market value: €31-€35