Designed by sculptor Nina Terno, the symbolic reverse side of the coin depicts a ploughman with a pair of horses that are pulling a harrow. A virtual coin toss application downloadable for iPhone mobile phones will also be launched at the same time.

President during the Cold War

The presidency of Urho Kekkonen is remembered as a time of careful balance between the superpowers during the Cold War. President Kekkonen's personal relations with the Soviet leadership were highly valued in Finland during those politically charged years.

Mr. Kekkonen was elected as president in 1956 after serving five terms as prime minister. He won the election against opponent K.A. Fagerholm with the smallest possible margin of 151-149. After this, President Kekkonen was re-elected four times, serving as president until 1981. He officially resigned on 27 January 1982 due to health-related reasons.

Toward a neutral Finland

Key events in terms of the political climate in Finland during his tenure include the Night Frost Crisis of 1958, the erection of the Berlin Wall in East Germany in August 1961, and the Note Crisis in October 1961. Under President Kekkonen's leadership, Finland strived to serve as a builder of bridges between the East and the West, and the country established its neutral stance in the West during the 1960s. Under Kekkonen's policies, Finland entered into a free trade agreement with the EEC in 1973.