In 2011, Mint of Finland's first coin for the Provincial coin series will be the Tavastia euro coin. In the Middle Ages, the historical province of Tavastia was a large territory. In addition to the current Tavastian counties, it included e.g. most of Central Finland, southern Pirkanmaa and northern Kymenlaakso.

The coin for the Provincial coin series is a hunter's coin as it depicts the old Tavastian hunting tradition.

Historical Tavastia

Tavastia has been inhabited since the early Stone Age. As far back as the beginning of the Christian era, the region was inhabited by people whose language could be understood by modern Tavastians.

In the Middle Ages, the Tavastian settlement spread from around Vanajavesi to the wilderness, where the locals hunted. The old trade route, Häme Oxen Road, connected the region to the West Coast. Modern Finnish cities, such as Hämeenlinna, Lahti, Jyväskylä and Tampere are part of the historical province of Tavastia.

An Emblem for Friends of Hunting

The snare and bird’s talons featured in the Tavastia province coin speak of a tradition of life out in the wild that goes back thousands of years. Snares like this were often made by twisting together horsetail hair and flax.

At the hunter’s belt would be a snare holster made from juniper with dozens of snares hanging from it, used to catch birds for the table.

Order Provincial Coin of Tavastia also as unc quality! The circulation coin purse contains ten newly minted, uncirculated €5 Provincial coins. Read more.

Read more about the Provincial Coin Series from here.