In celebration of design capital year

A touch of luxury combined with a portion of practicality – this is the secret of best designs. In 2012, the eyes of the design world will turn towards Finland and its World Design Capital, Helsinki. Mint of Finland ushers in 2012 by commemorating Finnish design and knowhow with a collector coin.

The ”World Design Capital Helsinki 2012” collector coin will be launched on 3 February 2012 at the World Money Fair, Berlin.

‘This is a wonderful start for the year. A design coin expresses the need for practical comfort ‒ they bring together a touch of luxury with a portion of Nordic practicality, augmenting Finnish quality of life', says Paul Gustafsson, CEO of Mint of Finland.

Focused practicality

Mint of Finland's design coin celebrates the capital city, Helsinki, as well as Finland as a whole - a country that leads the way in design and planning. In recognition of this, the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design named Helsinki the 2012 World Design Capital.

The coin spreads the message of Finland today as an innovative and modern country of competences. A modern and focused approach is the cornerstone of Finnish and Nordic design. Modern, stylish practicality is easy to enjoy, adding to the comfort of life. The collector coin marking this momentous year has been designed by designer Henna Lamberg.

Mint of Finland celebrates this jubilee year with a collector coin, minted as a gold and silver version with a nominal value of €50, and a base-metal version with a nominal value of €5.

Further information:

Henna Karjalainen
Communications Director
Mint of Finland
+ 358 50 575 9197
henna.karjalainen(at)mint.fi

Mint of Finland Ltd. is the leading mint in the Eurozone. It is the sole owner of the German Saxonia EuroCoin GmbH, and holds a 50 percent share in the Norwegian Det Norske Myntverket. Mint of Finland is dedicated to designing, marketing and minting coins. Mint of Finland is owned by the Republic of Finland. Mint of Finland produces metallic currency, commemorative and collector coins, as well as coin sets. In 2012, Mint of Finland will issue six new collector coins, two commemorative coins and seven coin series. To see how coins are produced, visit the 'About a Coin' exhibition at Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre. For further information about the 2012 events, go to: www.suomenrahapaja.fi