Finland Euro Coins

What we will look at today is the recent history of Finnish Numismatics that led this state to adopt the Euro.

Before the Euro was officially introduced, the common currency in Finland was the Finnish Markka. Specifically, this was used starting from 1860 with a value of a quarter of a Russian ruble.

The Markka was divided into Penni (i.e., cents) with a value of 1 markka = 100 penni.

Starting in 1865, the value of the Finnish Markka was tied to silver, completely detaching from the Russian ruble, while three years later, in 1868, it was tied to gold, effectively becoming equal in value to the French Franc.

The first significant changes regarding Finnish banknotes and coins were recorded several years later, specifically in 1917. In this year, Finland achieved complete independence from Russia and as a result, all Russian inscriptions were completely removed from coins and banknotes.

In 1963, the Markka (the common name for the Finnish markka) was replaced by a new Markka which had a value equal to 100 units of the old currency.

During the 140 years that the Finnish Markka was in circulation, a total of 28 different coins were minted.

The subjects represented have always been different, although in every case they were Finnish subjects.

The Arrival of the Euro

On January 1, 1999, the Euro officially came into effect. The exchange rate set the day before was 1 Euro = 5.94573 Markka. On January 1, 2002, a phase of dual circulation began, which concluded on February 28, 2002.

Finnish Markka could be exchanged for Euro until February 29, 2012.

After making this necessary introduction regarding Finnish Numismatics, it is time to carefully analyze the individual coins. In this long journey, we will examine their technical characteristics, the materials used, the subjects represented, and any curiosities regarding the individual coins.

Let's begin.

The very first coin we will analyze is naturally the 1 Euro Cent Finland. Specifically, this coin was created by the author Heikki Haivajoa. It is worth mentioning that there are several versions of the same coin that date back to different years.

On the Obverse, in all coins, we can notice a wonderful representation of the heraldic lion, which is the official symbol of Finland. Under the lion's paws, there is a curved sword, while in its right hand, it holds another:

• On the left, the year of minting is present, while the mint mark varies based on the version. In the one from 1999 to 2006, there is an “M” indicating the symbol of the Mint Director Makkonen Raimo.
• In the coin from 2007, the “M” disappears to make way for a stylized cornucopia with a cascade of coins. Below the tip of the sword, there is the symbol “FI” which indicates Finland.
• In the 1 cent coin from Finland from 2008 to 2010, the mint mark is the same but moved under the hilt of the sword.
• Finally, in the one from 2011 onwards, the mint mark changes and becomes a heraldic lion in a circle located to the right of the larger lion.

All around, for all coins, there are naturally the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

On the Reverse, the Common Side for all 1 euro cent coins.

Now let's look at the technical specifications

Specifications of the Finnish 1 Euro Cent Coin

• Materials: The material used for this coin is copper-plated steel (steel 94.35% – copper 5.65%)
• Thickness: The thickness is 1.67 mm
• Weight: The weight is 2.30 grams
• Diameter: The diameter is 16.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is completely smooth
• Engraver: Heikki Haivajoa

The second coin we will discuss is the 2 Euro Cents Finland. In this case, the author is the same, namely Heikki Haivajoa.

On the Obverse, the coin features the representation of the heraldic lion symbol of Finland with a sword beneath its feet and another in its right hand. However, this coin also has different versions that vary in details and their positioning:

• The coin from 1999 to 2006 features, for example, the mint director's symbol “M” immediately below the hilt of the sword at the bottom and the year of minting on the left.
• The coin from 2007 instead presents, in place of the mint director's symbol, a cornucopia filled with gold near the year of minting, and the inscription “FI” appears at the tip of the sword at the bottom. “FI” naturally stands for Finland.
• The coin from 2008 to 2010 features the mint symbol indicated as a cornucopia filled with gold. This is located below the hilt of the sword at the bottom.
• Finally, the last coin, from 2012 onwards, features a new mint symbol replacing the first. It is a heraldic lion placed in a circle to the right of the large lion.

All around, for all the coins, there are 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the European states.

The Reverse is represented by the Common Side, which is the same for all 2 euro cent European coins.

Let’s take a closer look at the technical specifications of this coin.

Specifications of the Finnish 2 Euro Cent Coin

• Materials: In this case, the material is copper-plated steel (steel 94.35% – copper 5.65%)
• Thickness: The thickness is always 1.67 mm
• Weight: The weight increases to 3.06 grams
• Diameter: The diameter is 18.75 mm
• Edge: The edge is characterized by a horizontal line in incuse
• Engraver: Heikki Haivajoa

We arrive at the third coin of this collection, namely the 5 Cents Euro Finland. The author is also Heikki Haivajoa.

On the Obverse, the coin features, like those seen so far, the representation of the heraldic lion, the official symbol of Finland. The lion holds a sword in its right hand and another placed under its hind legs.

There are, of course, several versions of the coin:

• For the one from 1999 to 2006, the year of minting is placed to the left of the lion, while the symbol of the mint director “M” is located under the hilt of the sword below.
• The coin from 2007 instead features the inscription “FI” which stands for Finland, placed under the tip of the sword below. In this case, the “M” disappears and the Cornucopia appears near the year of minting.
• The coin from 2008 to 2010 features the Cornucopia with a cascade of coins under the hilt of the sword below.
• Finally, the coin from 2011 onwards has, instead of the cornucopia, a heraldic lion in a circle placed to the right of the larger lion.

As always, surrounding it are the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

On the Reverse, the coins are like the other 5 euro cent European coins, with the Common Side.

Now let's move on to the technical characteristics:

Specifications of the Finnish 5 Cents Euro Coin

• Materials: Once again, the material is copper-plated steel (steel 94.35% – copper 5.65%)
• Thickness: The thickness remains at 1.67 mm
• Weight: The weight increases again to 3.92 grams
• Diameter: The diameter is 21.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is completely smooth
• Engraver: Heikki Haivajoa

We have now arrived at the 10 Cents Euro Finland coin. For this one, we are still talking about the same author, namely Heikki Haivajoa.

On the Obverse, the coin features the representation of the heraldic lion, which is the official symbol of Finland. This lion always holds a sword in its right hand and another one under its hind legs.

For this coin, it is also necessary to make a subdivision based on the year of minting.

• In particular, the coin minted between 1999 and 2006 displays the mint year to the left of the lion and below, under the hilt, the symbol of the mint director “M”.
• The coin minted in 2007 omits the “M” and features, below the tip of the sword, the inscription “FI” which indicates Finland. Additionally, it introduces a new mint symbol, a Cornucopia placed before the mint year on the left.
• The coin minted between 2008 and 2010 includes the Cornucopia, with a stylized cascade of coins, placed under the hilt of the sword.
• Finally, the coin from 2011 onwards presents, instead of the cornucopia, a smaller Lion enclosed in a circle as the mint symbol. This is located to the right of the larger lion.

All around, for all the mentioned coins, the 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the European states are naturally present.

On the Reverse:

• The First Series 1999/2006 has the old Common Side with the Eurozone countries represented separately and well spaced apart.
• The Second Series 2007/2019 changes the Common Side in favor of a version with all Eurozone countries united.

Now let’s take a look at the technical specifications.

Specifications of the Finnish 10 Cents Euro Coin

• Materials: The material used is Nordic Gold consisting of 89% copper, 5% zinc, 5% aluminum, and 1% tin.
• Thickness: The thickness is 1.93 mm.
• Weight: The weight is 4.10 g.
• Diameter: The diameter is 19.75 mm.
• Edge: The edge is reeded with thick milling.
• Engraver: Heikki Haivajoa

The next coin to discuss is the 20 Cents Euro Finland. Here too, we refer to Heikki Haivajoa as the designer.

On the Obverse, the coin features the depiction of a crowned lion holding a sword in its right hand and another lying beneath its paws.

• In the version from 1999 to 2006, the year of minting is placed to the left of the lion, while below the hilt of the sword is the “M” indicating the mint master.
• For the coin minted in 2007, we find instead to the left, under the tip of the sword, the inscription “FI” which indicates Finland, and instead of the M, a Cornucopia appears before the year of minting.
• Further changes can be noted in the coin from 2008 to 2010. In this case, the Cornucopia with a stylized cascade of coins is placed under the hilt of the sword.
• Finally, in the coin from 2011 onwards, the cornucopia completely disappears to make way for a Heraldic Lion in a circle, now placed to the right of the main lion.

All coins feature the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

On the Reverse:

• The First Series, 1999/2006, uses a map depicting the Eurozone countries spaced apart.
• The Second Series, 2007/2019, uses a new version of the map with the Eurozone countries symbolically united.

Specifications of the Finnish 20 Cents Euro Coin

Now let's move on to the technical features:

• Materials: In this case, the material is Nordic Gold (89% copper – 5% aluminum – 5% zinc – 1% tin)
• Thickness: The thickness increases to 2.14 mm
• Weight: The weight increases to 5.74 g
• Diameter: The diameter increases to 22.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is a wide reeding
• Engraver: Heikki Haivajoa

We arrive at the 50 Cents Euro Finland coin. The designer remains the same, namely Heikki Haivajoa.

On the Obverse, the 50 euro cent Finnish coin features a beautiful depiction of the Heraldic Lion, which is the symbol of Finland, holding a sword in its right hand and another lying beneath its paws.

For this coin, we must make distinctions based on the year of minting:

• For the coin minted from 1999 to 2006, the mint year is located to the left of the lion, while below, under the hilt of the sword, is the letter “M” indicating the mintmaster's mark.
• In the coin from 2007, the “M” disappears, and instead, we find the abbreviation “FI” below the tip of the sword, indicating Finland. This was added following the European Union's order to include the full name of the country or its abbreviation on the coins. Additionally, a new mint symbol appears: a Cornucopia overflowing with gold and cascading coins, placed before the mint year on the left.
• The coin minted between 2008 and 2010 features the cornucopia placed under the hilt of the sword at the bottom.
• Finally, the last coin, that of 2011, presents a Lion enclosed within a circle located to the right of the large lion.

As for all the coins, the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states are always present.

On the Reverse:

• The 1st Series, which runs from 1999 to 2006, features the Common Side with a map of the Eurozone countries separated from each other.
• The 2nd Series, which runs from 2007 to 2019, presents a new version of the map, showing the Eurozone countries symbolically united.

Specifications of the Finnish 50 Cents Euro Coin

Let’s analyze the technical characteristics of this coin:

• Materials: The material for this coin continues to be Nordic Gold (89% copper, 1% tin, 5% aluminum, and 5% zinc).
• Thickness: The thickness is 2.38 mm
• Weight: The weight increases to 7.80 g
• Diameter: The diameter is 24.25 mm
• Edge: The edge is reeded with a thick ribbing
• Engraver: Heikki Haivajoa

Here we are at the penultimate coin of this wonderful collection. The coin we are discussing now is the 1 Euro Finland.

The author in this case changes completely as we are talking about Pertti Makinen.

On the Obverse, we can notice the representation of two swans in flight. Specifically, this image was chosen following a competition held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Finland's independence.

As with the other coins, there are distinctions to be made based on the year of minting:

• The coin minted between 1999 and 2006 features the year of minting at the bottom and to the left the symbol of the mint director “M”.
• The coin from 2007, on the other hand, has to the right, below the two swans in flight, the inscription “FI” which indicates Finland. Instead of the M, we can find the Horn of Plenty with a cascade of coins placed in the outer crown of the coin on the left.
• Regarding the coin from 2008 to 2010, the Horn of Plenty moves and is placed to the right immediately below the head of one of the two swans.
• Finally, the coin from 2011 onwards changes the mint symbol again and instead of the horn of plenty, located in the same spot as the latter, appears a Heraldic Lion enclosed within a circle.

As with the other coins, these also feature the 12 five-pointed stars representing the European states.

On the Reverse:

• First Series, which runs from 1999 to 2006, features the Common Side with the map of the Eurozone states all separated from each other.
• Second Series, which runs from 2007 to 2019, instead presents a new version of the map, with all the Eurozone countries united without distances.

Specifications of the Finnish 1 Euro Coin

Let's take a look at the technical characteristics:

• Materials: For this coin, we are talking about a dual material. The outer part is made of nickel-brass, that is, 75% copper, 20% zinc, and 5% nickel. The inner part, on the other hand, is made of copper-nickel, that is, 75% copper and 25% nickel.
• Thickness: The thickness decreases to 2.33 mm.
• Weight: The weight also decreases to 7.50 grams.
• Diameter: The same goes for the diameter, which reaches 23.25 mm.
• Edge: The edge is discontinuously ridged.
• Engraver: Pertti Makinen

We have now reached the last coin in this collection, namely the 2 Euro Finland coin. The designer changes again for this coin as we are talking about Raimo Heino. Keep in mind that if you have a different Finnish 2 euro coin in hand, it might be a commemorative one. Since some commemorative 2 euro Finland coins have good value, check the dedicated page: 2 euro commemorative Finland.

On the Obverse, the coin features a depiction of the ancient Raspberry “rubus camemorus” with its flowers perfectly placed in the center of the coin. Below is the year of minting.

• In the version from 1999 to 2006, immediately below the raspberry are the mint director's symbol “M” and the year of minting.
• As for the 2007 version, instead of the “M”, we find a Cornucopia on the left among the stars, in the crown of the bimetallic coin. Additionally, the inscription “FI” appears, indicating Finland.
• In the version from 2008 to 2010, the stylized Cornucopia with a cascade of coins is positioned below the flower on the left in the central disc of the coin.
• Finally, in the last version, that of 2011, exactly in place of the cornucopia, we can see a Heraldic Lion placed within a circle.

In the outer crown of the coin, there are 12 five-pointed stars symbolizing the European Union.

On the Reverse:

• The First Series (1999/2006): The Common Side with the map of the Eurozone countries separated and distanced from each other.
• The Second Series (2007/2019): The Common Side changes and the new version of the map depicts all Eurozone countries united without distances between them.

Specifications of the Finnish 2 Euro Coin

Now let's look at the technical characteristics.

• Materials: Bimetallic. Outer part: copper-nickel (copper 75% – nickel 25%); inner part nickel-brass (copper 75% – zinc 20% – nickel 5%).
• Thickness: The thickness is slightly reduced compared to the previous coin, reaching 2.20 mm
• Weight: The weight, however, increases significantly, reaching 8.50 g
• Diameter: The diameter is 25.75 mm
• Edge: The edge is finely milled with three lion heads and the inscription SUOMI FINLAND
• Engraver: Raimo Heino