Designer: Heikki Häiväoja
Ag 500, 35mm, 22.7g
Mintage BU 600,000
Obverse: Portrait of Paasikivi; his name as a signature on left, date of birth and death at right.
Reverse: A stone was representing his acheivments and alluding to his surname (which means a type of stone).
Edge: Plain
Commemorates the centenary of President J.K. Paasikivi's birth. He was first elected to Parliament in 1907. He also served as Prime Minister in the immidiate post-war period and later as President from 1946-1956. He is best remembered for his role in negotiations with the Soviet government in 1939-40 and again in 1944. His more lasting contribution was the foreign policy doctrine that Finland followed after World War II, which bears his name. The basic tenant of which was to ensure Finland's independence by cooperating with the Soviet Union rather than relying on alliances in opposition to Finland's neighbor. This cooperation was to build mutual confidence for both states; political independence for Finland and a secure northwest frontier for the Soviets.
He also has appeared on the 1000 markkaa banknote (1955-1963 series) and 10 markkaa banknote (1963-1979 series) and (1980-1985 series).