Welcome to the Finland Proper euro coin launch at the Turku marketplace on October 2nd.

Finland’s historical provinces will be commemorated by the Maakunta coins in 2010 and 2011. The launch of the Finland Proper euro coin is open to the public at the Turku marketplace on October 2nd starting at 7 a.m. At the launch organised by Mint of Finland, you may discuss coin manufacturing, purchase your Maakunta coin and take the Mint of Finland 150 Years quiz.

A limited number of the Finland Proper coins will be sold at the Turku marketplace. The Maakunta coin will be officially sold on October 15th. At the launch in Turku, Mint of Finland’s CEO will also present Finland Proper coins to famous residents from Finland Proper.

All Provinces to have a Dedicated Euro Coin between 2010 and 2011

The Ministry of Finance has decided to issue a Maakunta coin set inspired by Finland’s nine historical provinces. Finland proper’s coin will be issued on September 30, 2010 and the Satakunta coin will be released on November 15, 2010.

The euro coins for the other provinces will be issued next year. The other historical provinces include Åland, Tavastia, Karelia, Lapland, Ostrobothnia, Savonia and Uusimaa. The first Maakunta coins will be minted in January 2011. More information will be available on the dates of issue as they are decided.

Each Maakunta coin has a nominal value of 5 euros. The weight of the coins is 9.36 grams and their diameter is 27.25 mm. The outer edge of the Maakunta coins is made of aluminium bronze and the centre is made of copper-nickel. Up to 150,000 Finland Proper coins will be minted. Initially, 30,000 coins will be minted in proof-quality and 70,000 in UNC quality.

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 will issue five new collector coins. In April, it will open an online boutique, and in October, Finns can discover how coins are minted at an exhibition at the Finnish Science Centre Heureka. For further details about the jubilee year events, see our website at www.suomenrahapaja.fi