Finland · Gesellius, Lindgren, Saarinen - Finnish Architecture

Issue date30 Aug 2024

Total mintage400,000

EU maximum400,000

Editions3

Edge letteringSUOMI FINLAND + 3 lion heads

InscriptionGESELLIUS / LINDGREN / SAARINEN / FI / 2024

DesignerAimo Katajamäki

mintSuomen Rahapaja OY, Vantaa, Finnland

Issue occasion

The commemorative coin is dedicated to Finnish architecture. The motif shows the outlines of four buildings whose spires point towards the centre of the coin. Between them, the names “GESELLIUS”, “LINDGREN” and “SAARINEN” are arranged diagonally; the lettering and building outlines are arranged like the face of a clock.

The design

The outlines of four buildings are depicted on the coin. The spires of all the buildings point towards the centre of the coin. Diagonally between the buildings, the inscriptions “GESELLIUS”, “LINDGREN”, “SAARINEN”, the issuing country “FI”, the mint mark and the year of issue “2024” are embossed. In their arrangement, the inscriptions and building outlines are reminiscent of the dial of a clock on the round inner part of the coin.

The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the coin’s outer ring.

Background on the topic

Herman Gesellius (1874–1916), Armas Lindgren (1874–1929) and Eliel Saarinen (1873–1950) were Finnish architects. While still studying in Helsinki, they founded a joint office, which existed from 1896 to 1905. Their collaboration took place during a period in which an independent national culture was emerging in Finland. At that time, the country belonged to the Russian Empire as a Grand Duchy; at the same time, the Finnish language, history and folk traditions gained importance in public life.

The architects combined international Art Nouveau influences with motifs, materials and architectural forms understood as Finnish. Characteristic features included natural stone, irregular building forms, steep roofs and references to medieval churches and castles. This movement is often referred to as Finnish National Romanticism. Architecture served not only practical purposes, but also the representation of a cultural identity.

The office’s joint works included the Finnish Pavilion for the 1900 Paris World’s Fair. It brought the new Finnish architecture to the attention of audiences outside the country. The trio also designed the National Museum of Finland (Finnisches Nationalmuseum) in Helsinki, whose design recalls medieval stone buildings. Another joint project was Hvitträsk near Kirkkonummi, a building complex designed as a residence and studio. The architects lived and worked there for periods of time.

After the joint office came to an end, they went their separate ways. Lindgren worked, among other things, as a teacher and professor in Finland. Saarinen later worked in the United States, where he influenced architectural education at the Cranbrook complex in Michigan. Gesellius continued his work in Finland, but his health was limited in his later years.

The date of issue is explained by the 150th birthdays of Gesellius and Lindgren in 2024. Saarinen was included because the three are perceived primarily as a group of architects connected by their joint office and its buildings.