Finnish euro coins

Finnish euro coins feature three separate designs. Heikki Häiväoja provided the design for the 1 cent – 50 cent coins, Pertti Mäkinen provided the design for the 1 euro coin, and Raimo Heino provided the design for the 2 euro coin. All designs feature the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint.

Finnish euro design

For images of the common side and a detailed description of the coins, see euro coins.

In Finland, the euro was introduced in 2002. However, the first sets of coins were minted, as preparation, in 1999. Hence the first euro coins of Finland have minted the year 1999 instead of 2002.

First series (2002–2006)

Finnish euro coins dated 1999–2006 carry the mint mark M which is the initial of the mint master at The Mint of Finland, Raimo Makkonen.

Coin image box 8 singles
header = Depiction of Finnish euro coinage (first series) | Obverse side
column_1_width = 150
column_2_width = 167
column_3_width = 157
denom_1 = € 0.01
denom_2 = € 0.02
denom_3 = € 0.05
image_1 =
image_2 =
image_3 =
row_1_caption = The heraldic lion of Finland found on the Coat of arms of Finland.

denom_4 = € 0.10
denom_5 = € 0.20
denom_6 = € 0.50
image_4 =
image_5 =
image_6 =
row_2_caption = The heraldic lion of Finland found on the Coat of arms of Finland

denom_7 = € 1.00
denom_8 = € 2.00
header_9 = € 2 Coin Edge
box_9 = s) and contains three lion heads
image_7 =
image_8 =
caption_7 = Two swans flying over a Finnish landscape. The Whooper Swan is the Finnish national bird.
caption_8 = The fruit and leaves of the cloudberry.

econd series (2007–present)

In December 2006, the Bank of Finland announced the following:

"The national sides of euro coins will be amended so that each issuing Member State will add its name or abbreviation (FI for Finland) on the coins. On Finnish coins the first letter of the Mint of Finland’s President and CEO (M for Raimo Makkonen) will also be replaced with the Mint’s logo. Amendments to the national sides affect all denominations of euro coins.

"Each euro area Member State will decide on the schedule for the introduction of their new coins. In Finland the new coins will be put into circulation in January 2007. The current coins will remain valid, and coins in stock will be put into circulation as necessary. This way coins with the new designs will mix with the current coins in circulation." [cite press release|title = Designs of euro coins will be amended in 2007|publisher = Bank of Finland|date = 2006-12-27|url = http://www.bof.fi/en/suomen_pankki/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/2006/tiedote33_2006.htm|accessdate = 2007-04-09]

Finland was the first state in the EMU (European Monetary Union) to implement these changes.

Coin image box 8 singles
header = Depiction of Finnish euro coinage (second series) | Obverse side
column_1_width = 150
column_2_width = 167
column_3_width = 157
denom_1 = € 0.01
denom_2 = € 0.02
denom_3 = € 0.05
image_1 =
image_2 =
image_3 =
row_1_caption = The heraldic lion of Finland found on the Coat of arms of Finland.

denom_4 = € 0.10
denom_5 = € 0.20
denom_6 = € 0.50
image_4 =
image_5 =
image_6 =
row_2_caption = The heraldic lion of Finland found on the Coat of arms of Finland

denom_7 = € 1.00
denom_8 = € 2.00
header_9 = € 2 Coin Edge
box_9 = s) and contains three lion heads
image_7 =
image_8 =
caption_7 = Two swans flying over a Finnish landscape. The Whooper Swan is the Finnish national bird.
caption_8 = The fruit and leaves of the cloudberry.

Circulating Mintage quantities

€2 commemorative coins

Other commemorative coins (Collectors' coins)

Finland has a good collection of euro commemorative coins, mainly in silver and gold, although some other materials are oftenly used. Their face value range from 5 euro to 100 euro. This is mainly done as a legacy of old national practice of minting gold and silver coins. These coins are not really intended to be used as means of payment, so generally they do not circulate. Here you can find some samples:

Usage of 1 cent and 2 cent coins

Finnish businesses and banks have employed a method known as "Swedish rounding" when tallying sums. Due in large part to the inefficiency of producing and accepting the 1 cent and 2 cent coins, Finland has opted to remove these coins from general circulation in order to offset the cost involved in accepting them.

While individual prices are still shown and summed up with € 0.01 precision, the total sum is then rounded to the nearest € 0.05 when paying with cash. Sums ending in € 0.01, € 0.02, € 0.06 and € 0.07 are rounded down to the nearest 5 cents; sums ending in € 0.03, € 0.04, € 0.08 and € 0.09 are rounded up to the nearest 5 cents.

The 1 cent and 2 cent coins are legal tender and are still minted for collector sets as required by the EMU agreement.

References

External links

* [http://www.ecb.int/bc/euro/coins/html/fi.en.html European Central Bank – Information about the Finnish euro coins]
* [http://www.bof.fi Suomen Pankki (Bank of Finland)]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/theeuro/files/files.nat/finland.s01.htm The Euro Information Website – Finland Series 1]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/theeuro/files/files.nat/finland.s02.htm The Euro Information Website – Finland Series 2]