Treasures in Your Wallet: Finland’s 2 Euro Commemorative Coins

In central Europe Euro coins from Finland can only be found on rare occasions. However, this was already the case when the euro was introduced in 2002. Therefore, Finnish 2 euro commemorative coins are hardly ever found in circulation. However, an abundance of mint state pieces are offered on the secondary market, especially online. In this article, I will present some interesting Finnish 2 euro commemorative coins that have a lot of potential.

2 Euro Circulation Coins

The Republic of Finland was one of the countries to introduce the euro as its sole currency in 2002. The reverse design (RV) meets the requirements set for all euro countries. On the obverse (OBV) of 2 euro coins you can see cloudberry flowers. Euro circulation coins have been minted in Finland since 1999. All coins are produced by the Mint of Finland in Vantaa, north of the capital Helsinki.

Just like 2 euro commemorative coins, all 2 euro circulation coins consist of a ring made of cupronickel. The core is made of nickel brass with a nickel core (CuNi / Ni, CuNiZn plated). All pieces can slightly be attracted by a magnet at the centre.

Technical Specifications

• Weight: 8.50 g
• Diameter: 25.75 mm
• Reeded edge
• All Finnish pieces feature the inscription “SUOMI FINNLAND” and three heraldic lions next to the reeded edge.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. Starting in 2007, changes were made regarding the OBV. The abbreviation for the country “FI” now replaces the former “M” indicating the mint director. At the same time, the symbol of the Finnish Mint was put on the ring. There are coins minted in 2006 that already have the new RV due to a die mix-up. Their number is said to amount to ca. 50,000 specimens that entered circulation. Please pay special attention to these pieces, they are little rarities.

Mint Error Coins

Minor or more severe punching errors can often be found on coins of both obverse designs. Pay special attention to die cracks and rotated die error coins. The euro stars on the ring of the RV often protrude into the centre. However, these are not error coins, it is pure coincidence! Such pieces are often offered as error coins for 600 euros. But those who offer them do not reveal what type of error coin it is. You’d better stay away from such offers, you can only lose money.

Appraisal

It is very rare to find Finnish circulation coins in change. On the secondary market, prices for mint state coins start at 4 euros. Prices for coins with severe punching errors start at 10 euros. If the year on the coin is affected by the error, they are worth up to 25 euros. 2 euro pieces from 2006 with the new RV are extremely rare and are never sold for less than 170 euros.

EU Enlargement 2004

The first 2 euro commemorative coin of Finland was dedicated to the enlargement of the European Union of 2004. The stylised leaves on the OBV represent the new member states and are a symbol of growth.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency. These coins were not issued separately. No rolls of these coins were issued. All 931,400 pieces were issued together with regular 2 euro circulation coins.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens start at 45 euros.

100 Years Women’s Suffrage in Finland, 2006

Finland was the first European country to introduce women’s suffrage as early as in 1906. The OBV features the face of a woman and a man.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 6 and 10 euros.

Joint Issues of the Eurozone

Finland participated in all four joint issues of the eurozone of 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2015. So far, no mint error coins have been found. These pieces are hardly ever found in circulation. On the secondary market, the prices for mint state specimens range from 4 to 8 euros.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

150th Anniversary of the Parliament in Finland, 2013

From 1863 onwards, the Finnish diet has been convened regularly. In Finland’s history, the year 1863 marks the beginning of democracy, free press and the right to speak the Finnish language.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 5 and 7 euros.

100th Birthday of Tove Jansson, 2014

The OBV features a self-portrait of the artist Tove Jansson (1914-2001). She created the popular “Mumins” (little trolls), which appeared in numerous stories and comic series.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications correspond to those of a 2 euro circulation coin.

Particularities

Coloured or even gilded pieces are not official issues. They have been doctored and lost their former value as currency.

Mint Error Coins

So far, no mint error coins have been found. Nevertheless, keep looking for minor punching errors, die cracks and rotated die error coins.

Appraisal

These coins can hardly be found in circulation. On the secondary market, prices for mint state specimens range between 3.50 and 5 euros. Since the artist’s stories are especially popular in Scandinavian countries, the price is likely to increase a bit.

In the online database Cosmos of Collectibles you can find all 2 Euro coins from Finland.

Most recently, numiscontrol wrote about the rarities among Estonia’s 2 euro coins.

Numiscontrol has dealt with the topic of “turning stars” on euro coins too! Read his article: Finding Treasures in Your Change: The “Turning” Stars.

Find out more about our author numiscontrol, alias Reiner Graff, in our who’s who.

The collecting expert made it his mission to introduce beginners to the world of coin collecting – here you can read his series “Coin Care in Simple Terms”.