The first two-euro commemorative coin of 2015 will pay tribute to master composer Jean Sibelius. The special coin will be launched on 18 February with a total mintage of 1.0 million.
The 150th anniversary year of Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) is celebrated in 2015. In addition to the commemorative two-euro coin launched on 18 February, Mint of Finland will also release Sibelius-themed silver and gold collector coins on 30 January. Jean Sibelius has previously been honoured with silver and gold Jean Sibelius and Finnish Music collector coins in 1999.
”Jean Sibelius is of huge importance to the Finnish people, which is why it is fantastic that, this year, he is remembered with a commemorative two-euro coin in addition to the collector coin,” says Mint of Finland CEO Paul Gustafsson.
Jean Sibelius is Finland's national composer whose music has touched Finnish people in different periods and translated Finnish national sentiments to international audiences as well. Jean Sibelius' best-known works include Symphonies 1–7, Finlandia, Valse triste, Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 and, drawing their inspiration from the Kalevala tradition of Finnish folk poetry, Kullervo and the Karelia Suite.
Commemorative two-euro coins are desirable collector's items
The national side of the commemorative two-euro coin depicts the starry sky of Ainola and a copse of pine trees, under which Sibelius was captured in several photographs. The side of the coin dedicated to Sibelius is designed by Nora Tapper. The commemorative coin's reverse is identical to that of ordinary two-euro circulation coins.
A total of 1.0 million two-euro Jean Sibelius special coins will be struck, 11,000 of which will be minted in proof quality. The special coins are available from retailers and the Mint of Finland online shop. Commemorative coins are legal tender in all euro countries.
”Commemorative two-euro coins have been minted in Finland since 2004. Due to their small mintages, they are popular collector's items everywhere in the world. The easiest way to obtain a polished proof-quality commemorative two-euro coin for your collection is through Mint of Finland or from coin retailers,” says Mint of Finland CEO Paul Gustafsson.
Mint of Finland is offering the commemorative coins individually in proof quality (EUR 24), in purses of 10 freshly minted UNC-quality coins (EUR 41), and in rolls of 25 freshly minted UNC coins (EUR 90). Advance orders for the special coin will be accepted by the Mint of Finland online shop from 4 February.
Each euro country is allowed to release two commemorative coins into circulation each year, and Finland plans to release the full quota of two Finnish two-euro commemorative coins in 2015.
For more information, please contact:
Auli Mikkonen
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Mint of Finland
+358 40 660 5900
[email protected]
Mint of Finland group designs, markets and manufactures metal coins, billets, collector coins and special coins, as well as coinages. Mint of Finland Group is the strongest mint in the euro zone and one of the largest global exporters of metal coins. The company is owned by the Republic of Finland. Saxonia Mint of Finland is a subsidiary of Mint of Finland. The Finnish Science Centre Heureka's exhibition About a Coin demonstrates the various stages of minting coins. For more information on events in 2015, please visit www.mint.fi
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