Finland. New Bi-Metallic Gold and Silver Proof Coins Remembers Finnish War Veterans

As Europe mark the 80^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Finland also marks the 85^th anniversary of the end of the ‘Winter war’. With the hope that peace will once again be restored on the European continent, both of these anniversaries are especially poignant to the Finnish nation. After the invasion of Poland in September 1939 which triggered the Second World War, Finland faced their own invasion by soviet forces intent on taking Finnish territory. The ‘Winter War’ as it became known and despite superior military strength, especially in tanks and aircraft, the Soviet Union suffered severe losses and initially made little headway. Faced with further Soviet aggression, the Finnish government were unable to secure assistance from Britain or France to stave off the invasion from their ally. Finnish armed forces were led by national hero and Finnish military leader Carl Gustaf Mannerheim (1867 - 1951) who successfully defended Finland against the much larger Soviet army.  However, as Finnish armed forces were faced with imminent defeat, the conflict ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty which Mannerheim signed on the 13th March 1940.

Hoping to win back some territory regarded as historically Finnish and land which was under soviet occupation, Finland joined Germany’s Third Reich in its invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941. Mannerheim was named the only marshal of Finland in June 1942. But as soviet Russian strength grew and Germany's weakened, Mannerheim’s troops were forced to retreat. Mannerheim was named president of the Finnish republic in August 1944 in the hope that he would be able to negotiate a separate peace with the Soviets. He signed an armistice in September the same year which ultimately yielded more territory in Finnish Karelia. Although Mannerheim's main task was to lead the war, he also knew how to strengthen and maintain the will of the soldiers to fight. He was famed for this quote: 

‘Forts, cannons and foreign aid will not help unless every man himself knows that he is the guard of his country’

With the unconditional surrender of Germany in May 1945, the war was formally concluded and peace was again restored on the European continent. Carl Mannerheim remained president until ill health forced his retirement in 1946. With poor health, it was recommended that he should travel to Montreux, Switzerland for medical treatment, to recuperate and write his memoirs. Valmont was to be Mannerheim's main residence for the remainder of his life, although he regularly returned to Finland. He died on the 28th January 1951 in Lausanne, Switzerland and was buried in the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki in a state funeral with full military honours. During the observance of previous Winter War anniversaries, the Finnish War Veterans have reiterated their appreciation of peace more than anyone and never again want to see war in Finland or anywhere in the world. 

The gold and silver bi-metallic proof coins are produced by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands under licence of the Helsinki Mint and on behalf of the Finnish Ministry of Finance. Designed by artist Tapio Kettunen, the obverse side depicts an abstract motif of three profiles with the use of negative space. The profiles that can be seen in the negative space are those of a war veteran on the left and of a soldier on the right. The negative space of the war veterans profile may indicate that almost all of the war veterans of 1939-1945 have left us, they continue their lives in the form of memories. In the case of the soldier, the negative space suggests the hope that no more new war veterans should be born. On the far right, a profile of a young person is also shown: the future of the country that hopefully never has to endure war. Shown on the left are the years 1939 1945 representing the start and end of the Second World War. Above and along the rim is the text in Finnish, SUOMEN VETERAANIT and below the text in Swedish, FINLANDS VETERANER. The reverse shows an altered version of the Finnish flag. The partially broken shape and jagged surface refer to the war. The denomination 50 € is shown just to the right of the fragmented flag and near the lower and left rim is the year of issue and text 2025 SUOMI FINLAND.

Available from the end of April, each coin is encapsulated and presented in a hardwood custom round-shape case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Helsinki Mint.