Finnish Markka - Coins

Coins

When the markka was introduced, coins were minted in copper (1, 5 and 10 penniä), silver (25 and 50 penniä, 1 and 2 markkaa) and gold (10 and 20 markkaa). After the First World War, silver and gold issues were ceased and cupro-nickel 25 and 50 penniä and 1 markka coins were introduced in 1921, followed by aluminium-bronze 5, 10 and 20 markkaa between 1928 and 1931. During the Second World War, copper replaced cupro-nickel in the 25 and 50 penniä and 1 markka, followed by an issue of iron 10, 25 and 50 penniä and 1 markka. This period also saw the issue of holed 5 and 10 penniä coins.

All coins below 1 markka had ceased to be produced by 1948. In 1952, a new coinage was introduced, with smaller iron (later nickel plated) 1 and 5 markka coins alongside aluminium-bronze 10, 20 and 50 markka and (from 1956) silver 100 and 200 markka denominations. This coinage continued to be issued until the introduction of the new markka in 1963.

The new markka coinage consisted initially of six denominations: 1 (aluminium), 5 (copper, later aluminium), 10 (aluminium-bronze, later aluminium), 20 and 50 penniä (aluminium-bronze) and 1 markka (silver, later cupro-nickel). From 1972, aluminium-bronze 5 markka were also issued.

The last series of Finnish markka coins included five coins (listed with final Euro values, rounded to the nearest cent):

• 10 penniä (silver-coloured) - a honeycomb on the reverse and a lily of the valley flower on the obverse (0.02)
• 50 penniä (silver-coloured) - haircap moss on the reverse and a bear on the obverse (0.08)
• 1 markka (copper-coloured) - the Finnish coat of arms on the obverse (0.17)
• 5 markkaa (copper-coloured) - a lily pad leaf and a dragonfly on the reverse and a Saimaa seal on the obverse (0.84)
• 10 markkaa (two-metal coin, copper-coloured centre and silver-coloured edge) - rowan tree branches and berries on the reverse and a wood grouse on the obverse (1.68)