Finland. Latest Gold Proof Coins Focus on National Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Since Finland’s independence from Imperial Russia in 1917, State Visits have always played an important role for Finland when it comes to diplomatic relations between nations and the execution of foreign policy. Hundreds of years ago, state visits came in the form of marriages between royal families, which often lead to military alliances and political decisions in terms of politics. After World War I, many empires and kingdoms came to an end – Imperial Russia ended with the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and as a consequence, Finland gained unilateral independence. With the emergence of many new nations in Europe after 1920, state visits along with careful diplomacy required a new approach. Nevertheless, many traditions such as ceremonial receptions, joint public appearances, dinners and cultural events have been maintained to this day.

For many years, the most important state visits were to Moscow and Washington DC, as Finland tried to carefully navigate a precarious position of neutrality. However, as communism and the former Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and Finland joined the European Union in 1995, the major economic and political shift towards the West took on a more important position for Finland. More recently, Finland became the 31^st nation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation – NATO in April 2023, cementing the country’s commitment to the Western alliance.

Since independence, Finnish Presidents have had excellent opportunities to present the country’s foreign policy, while at the same time opening the door to the worldwide export industry as well as cultural cooperation. With these statements and appearances on the world stage, Finland’s Presidents, each in their own way, represent the values, principles and goals of Finland and its culture, the most important function of state visits nowadays.

The gold proof and €2 Euro coins are produced by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands under license as The Helsinki Mint and designed by Sinnika Inkeroinen-Huhta and Ilkka Huhta. Their design on the reverse side focuses on a door with a textured linear surface to symbolise state visits and diplomatic relations between nations. Behind the door, negotiations take place, relationships are formed and the future is made secure. Along the right rim is the text SUOMI FINLAND with the denomination 100€ placed just below the door. The obverse side is similar in design to the reverse but the door is shown with a smooth surface and the background field is now a textured linear surface. To the left is the year of issue, 2025. The reverse side is that of the standard Euro-zone design for all circulating 2 Euro coins, the numeral ‘2’ superimposed over a map depicting Europe created by artist Luc Luycx.

Available from the 13^th May, the BU strikes are presented in a sealed, coin-card format in two versions, English or Finnish/Swedish text. The Proof version is encapsulated and presented in a custom case complete with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. For additional information, please visit the online webshop of the Helsinki Mint.