A Finnish Lion for Finnish Circulation Coins

Next year, the mint mark on the national side of Finnish coins will change. Starting in 2011, coins issued by Mint of Finland will feature a new mint mark, the Lion logo. The change is part of creating a fresh look for the 150-year-old Mint of Finland. On the €2 coins, the logo will be slightly larger than on other coins.

Of the coins circulated from 2010 onwards, only the €2 special coin issued on 15 November 2010 will depict the new manufacturer’s logo.

The Mint Mark was Known as Early as Ancient Rome

The mint mark was used on coins as early as Ancient Greece and Rome. Mints throughout the world continue to use their own logos on their metal coins. The logo is often the initial of the mint director’s family name.

Until 2007, Mint of Finland’s logo used on coins stood for the director’s name. In 2007, Mint of Finland’s cornucopia logo came to be used on Mint of Finland’s circulation coins. In early 2010, Mint of Finland got a new name and look as part of the company’s 150th anniversary, and the Finnish lion became the new logo.

Further information:

Henna Karjalainen
Communications and Marketing Manager
Mint of Finland Ltd
+ 358 50 575 9197
henna.karjalainen(at)mint.fi

Mint of Finland is the leading company in its field in Scandinavia and the Baltic region. Mint of Finland is dedicated to designing, marketing and minting coins. The company is owned by the Finnish state. It encompasses two business units: Circulation Coins and Collector Items. Mint of Finland produces metal circulation coins, collector and special coins, coins sets, medals, badges of honour and jewellery. The group employs some 133 people and exports to nearly 40 countries. The year 2010 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Mint by the order of Tsar Alexander II. During the jubilee year, Mint of Finland has issued five new collector coins and opened an online shop. On 20 October 2010, Mint of Finland Ltd. and the Finnish Science Centre Heureka opened the Voyage of the Coin exposition on the manufacture of money. The exposition was opened as part of Heureka’s main exposition in commemoration of Mint of Finland’s 150th anniversary. For further details about the jubilee year events, see our website at www.suomenrahapaja.fi