446) i) “The Golden Age of Finnish Art”: A 10 Euro Silver coin with the aforementioned theme as part of the sub-theme for 2017 - “The Age of Iron and Glass” under the overall theme of “Ages of Europe”, issued by the Mint of Finland on 20.02.2017: ii) “Europa Coin Programme” or the “European Silver Programme” or the “Eurostar Programme”:

446) i) “The Golden Age of Finnish Art”: A 10 Euro Silver coin with the aforementioned theme as part of the sub-theme for 2017 - “The Age of Iron and Glass” under the overall theme of “Ages of Europe”, issued by the Mint of Finland on 20.02.2017:

ii) “Europa Coin Programme” or the “European Silver Programme” or the “Eurostar Programme”:

For posts on coins issued under the Eurostar Coin Programme, please visit the following links:

1) Europa Coin Programme: A series of six coins issued by the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) with the theme "The Age of Iron & Glass" in January 2017

2) The Golden Age of Finnish Art: A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by the Mit of Finland with the theme "The Age of Iron And Glass" on 20.02.2017

3) Baptism of Christ: 50 Euro Gold and 10 Euro Silver Coins issued by the Central Bank of Malta on the theme "Baroque and Rococo Art" on 14.03.2018

The Golden Age of Finnish Art:

The Romantic-Nationalism Movement which dominated Finnish Art in the late 19^th and early 20^th Centuries (1880-1910) is known as “the Golden Age of Finnish Art”.

The artists dominant in Finland during this Era drew inspiration for their masterpieces from Finnish folklore – the “Kalevala” – Finland’s Epic National Saga, in particular.

One of the Golden Age’s crowning moments was experienced at the “Exposition Universelle” held in Paris in 1900.

The Finnish Pavilion designed by Eliel Saarinen, Herman Geselius and Armas Lindgren was unveiled at the Fair, and exhibited the masterpieces of Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931), remembered in Finland as the illustrator of the “Kalevala” and other renowned Finish artists.

One of Gallen-Kallela’s works on display was a “ryijy” rug – a decorative type of rug unique to Finland – titled “Liekki” (meaning “Flame”).

“The Golden Age Collector Coin”:

 The Reverse of "The Golden Age of Finnish Art" 10 Euro Silver coin together with an illustration of “Liekki” or “Flame”, a Finnish rug designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela (in 1899), displayed at the Finnish Pavilion in the Paris exposition (1900).

The Mint of Finland will be issuing a new silver coin on 20.02.2017 (pre-booking of the coin has commenced on 23.01.2017). The design focuses on the “Golden Age of Finnish Art”.

The Golden Age Collector Coin pays tribute to this moment of greatness of Finnish Art. This Collector coin is part of the Prime Minister’s Office’s programme for the Centennial celebrations of Finland’s Independence.

 The Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver coin is framed by bear heads in the manner of the Pavilion’s entrance. Just below the bear heads pattern on top is mentioned "KULTAKAUSI GULDALDERN" (meaning "The Golden Age of Finnish Art").

 Patterns from the “Liekki” (Flame) “ryijy”, a decorative type of rug unique to Finland, designed by Gallen-Kallela for the Pavilion have been struck in the centre of the coin’s Reverse, with the bear heads positioned all along the Coin’s periphery are design motifs.

 An illustration of “Liekki” or “Flame”, a Finnish rug designed by Akseli Gallen-Kallela (in 1899), displayed at the Finnish Pavilion in the Paris exposition (1900). The rug is presently kept at the Museum of art and Design, Helsinki. 

                The bear heads around the Pavilion’s entrance 

 The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver coin includes the standard design that all Europa Star coins display. The centre of the coin depicts the Star of the Europa Series, extracted from the Europa Star Coin Programme’s logo/emblem. Finland’s National insignia is featured in the centre with the year of issue “2017” towards the centre right periphery. Along the upper periphery the inscription reads “EUROPAN AIKAKAUDET EUROPEISKA EPOKER” (in Finnish meaning “Ages of Europe – Europa Star Programme”). Below this inscription is inscribed “SUOMI FINLAND” (Mint of Finland). On the lower bottom is the Europa Star emblem.

This Collector coin is part of the “Europa Star Programme” in which European countries release coins with a shared theme. The 2017 theme is “the Age of Iron and Glass” under the overall theme of “Ages of Europe” – a five year programme which commenced in 2016. This coin has also been granted the “Key Flag of the Association for Finnish Work”.

The Specifications of the 10 Euro Silver coin issued under the Europa Star Programme are:

Denominational Value: 10 Euros

Metallic Composition: Ag 925 or .925 Silver

Diameter: 33.0 mm

Weight: 17.0 grams

Coin Quality: Proof

Year of Minting: 2017

Mintage: 10,000 pieces (100 pieces are numbered on the Obverse – the numbered Golden Age collector coins are being presented in a protective glass case. These are being delivered on a first ordered, first served basis, beginning from the smallest number).

Designer: Erkki Vainio

Issue Date: 20.02.2017

"The Golden Age of Finnish Art" numbered coin in a protective glass cover (100 coins)

Finland 100 Programme:

All collector coins released by the Mint of Finland during 2017 are part of the “Finland 100 Programme” which celebrates Finland’s Centennial or 100 years of Independence.

The other silver coins being released this year celebrate the Finnish tango, mothers, Finland’s nature etc. The coins also highlight the achievements and challenges of Finland’s history of independence, which will also be launched as part of the “Europa Star Programme”.

Europa Coin Programme:

The Europa Coin Programme is an initiative dedicated to issuing of collector coins, in precious metals which celebrate European identity.

Coins under this series are issued by the European Union’s Eurozone member States and the issuing authorities of European Union member countries voluntarily contribute coins to the Europa Coin Programme.

 The Europa Star Series highlights European achievements, anniversaries and common history or cultural ties.

Several countries have taken part in this programme, since its inception in 2004.

Some coins are denominated in Euros, while others are denominated in other currencies. These coins are all legal tender.

The Eurostar logo:

The Eurostar logo is the special mark used on these coins which signify that they have been issued under the “Euro Coin Programme”. The design of the logo is a stylised combination of an “E” (for Europe or the Euro Symbol) and a “star” (often used to symbolise a member nation, for example, on the EU Flag).

It is a requirement that the coins must show the Eurostar distinctly and visibly to the naked eye, but not be integral to the coin’s design.

Other standard coin features for coins issued under the programme:

a)   The coins must be at least .900 fine silver and of Proof quality

b)   The coins should be approx “crown sized” which allows for national traditions and customs

c)   The coins must show the Eurostar logo distinctly

The themes over the past years for the Eurostar Programme coin issues:

2004 – EU Enlargement

2005 – Peace and Freedom

2006 – Distinguished European figures

2007 – European Realisation

2008 – Cultural Heritage

2009 – European Heritage

2010 – European Architecture

2011 – European Explorers

2012 – European Visual Artists

2013 – European Writers

2014 – European Composers

2015 – Anniversary of the UNO

2016 – The Ages of Europe

This year’s theme for the Europa Star Coin Series (2017) is “The Age of Iron and Glass” which is part of a wider programme focussing on the “Ages of Europe”. The five-year long, co-ordinated programme commenced last year (2016) and will conclude in 2020.

Links:

Other posts on Coins from Finland:

1) Mint of Finland: Provincial Coins issued in 2010 & 2011 depicting cultures/traditions of Nine Historic Provinces 

Europa Star Programme Posts:

1) Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) has issued a series of six coins with the theme "The Age of Iron and Glass" in January 2017 

Some other Links:

1) Mint of Finland: Provincial coins issued in 2010 and 2011 commemorating the cultures/traditions of the nint historic provinces which ceased to be Administrative Regions in 1634

2) Currency of Denmark: Krone and Ore (Part I): Historical Development of Coinage in Denmark

3) Currency of Denmark: Krone and Ore (Part II): The Evolution of Banknotes in Denmark

 4) "The Golden Age of Finnish Art": A 10 Euro Silver Coin with the afore-mentioned theme as part of the sub-theme for 2017 - "The Age of Iron and Glass" under the overall theme of "Ages of Europe" issued by the Mint of Finland on 20.02.2017: ii) "Europa Coin Programme" ot the "European Silver Star Programme" or the "Eurostar Programme"

5) Norges Bank (Central Bank of Norway): Introduction of the VIII Series of innovative/pixelated Banknotes with the theme "The Sea" in a phased manner from May 2017 to Q4 2020 and gradual withdrawal of the presently circulating Banknotes (VII Series) 

6) Currency and Coinage of Sweden: Kronor and Ore: New Banknote Series and Coins being issued in 2015 and 2016 

7) Currency and Coinage of Iceland: issued by by the Central Bank of Iceland or "Sedlabanki Islands": Kroner & Eyrir