New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2021/C 473/06)

National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Finland

Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Finland

Subject of commemoration: The 100-year autonomy of Åland

Description of the design: The theme of the coin is the archipelago landscape composed of embossed forms. The lower half of the design has a seaway with nautical signs, the bow of a boat and a hand holding a compass. The horizontal midline of the design has a sea horizon. The upper half of the design has sky and clouds. At the bottom, in semi-circle, is the inscription ‘AUTONOMY OF THE ÅLAND ISLANDS FOR 100 YEARS’ in Finnish. At the top, in semi-circle, is the inscription ‘AUTONOMY OF THE ÅLAND ISLANDS FOR 100 YEARS’ in Swedish. At the centre there are two diamond shaped highlights between the texts, one at the left and the other at the right. Above the diamonds, at the right side is the inscription ‘2021 FI’ and at the left side the mintmark of the Mint of Finland.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Estimated number of coins to be issued: 800 000

Date of issue: Autumn 2021

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

(2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).