Designer: Heikki Häiväoja
Ag 900, 35mm, 24g
Mintage UNC 1,000,000


OBVERSE: Five flying osprey representing five decades of independence
REVERSE: Stylized buildings and cranes symbolizing continuous development
EDGE: Plain/"ITSENÄINEN SUOMI 50 SJÄLVSTÄNDIGT FINLAND 50"

Commemorates the 50th year of Finland's independence.

This was the first commemorative coin issued after the monetary reform of 1963. The coin does not have a raised rim. With the exception of a few, most subsequent commemoratives were also designed without a raised rim until the 1990s.

I find the modern Finnish commemorative series are exceptional examples of coin design. I wish other countries, including the US were as enlightened in the possibilities of the art form. These issues are NCLT, so why should they abide by all the lmitations of circulating currency. It is an opportunity to experiment and work with the medium without getting gimmicky (guitars, etc.). My hat is off to Finland.