Finland · Finnish Nature

Issue date21 Oct 2017

Total mintage500,000

EU maximum500,000

Editions4

Edge letteringSUOMI FINLAND + 3 lion heads

Inscription2017 / FI

DesignerKari Auvinen

mintSuomen Rahapaja OY, Vantaa, Finnland

Issue occasion

The commemorative coin is dedicated to Finnish nature. The design shows the Moon cartographically as seen from Harmaja in Finland; in front of it, a crow sits on a branch. The year of issue “2017”, the country code “FI” and the mint mark are also depicted.

The design

The inner part of the coin depicts the Moon as seen from Harmaja in Finland. In front of the Moon, a crow is shown sitting on a branch. The year of issue “2017” is indicated at the bottom in the centre. The issuing country “FI” appears halfway up on the left, while the mint mark is shown halfway up on the right.

The outer ring of the coin features the twelve stars of the European flag.

Background on the topic

The occasion was connected with the centenary of the independent Finnish state. Finland had declared its independence from the Russian Empire on 6 December 1917. The 2017 anniversary programme addressed not only political history but also subjects connected with everyday life, culture and national self-perception. This included nature, which was taken up not only in a dedicated commemorative coin but also in events and civic projects.

The design was based on a photograph by Kari Auvinen. It was selected as part of a photography competition in whose decision the public could participate. The choice of a photographic source image differs from classic coin designs, which are often based on portraits, coats of arms or historic buildings. Here, the aim was not to depict a particular place or a specific political event, but rather an everyday observation of nature.

Harmaja is a small, rocky island in the Gulf of Finland (Finnischer Meerbusen) off Helsinki. It lies on the approach to the capital’s harbour and is known above all for its lighthouse and its long-standing use for seafaring and pilotage. The location thus connects the coastal and archipelago landscape with Helsinki’s history as a port city. At the same time, it represents a type of landscape characteristic of the Finnish Baltic coast.

Nature also plays a special role in Finnish society. Large forest areas, numerous inland waters, the extensive archipelago coast and marked seasonal differences shape leisure activities, working life and cultural representations. In addition, there is the so-called everyman’s right, which permits access to and certain uses of nature regardless of ownership, provided that no damage or disturbance is caused.

The coin therefore commemorated the national anniversary not through political symbols. Instead, it placed a natural environment and a familiar observation of wildlife at the centre. The public selection of the motif also corresponded to the approach of Finland’s anniversary year, which was based on collective participation.