September 18, 2014 – On 18 August, Aland has received a collector coin paying tribute to its provincial animal. This provincial coin with a nominal value of five euros depicts the white-tailed eagle in its nest. The collector coin’s reverse bears the historic coat of arms of Aland.
Finland / 5 EUR / 9.8 g / 27.25 mm / Design: Erkki Vainio (obverse), Nora Tapper (reverse) / Mintage: 35,000 (UNC), 10,000 (proof).
The collector coin being launched is the third to honour Aland. The first collector coin launched by Mint of Finland in Aland in 2011 paid tribute to fishing, the traditional local means of sustenance and livelihood. For the Provincial buildings series, Aland received a coin commemorating the Sälskär lighthouse in 2013.
White-tailed eagle. Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en.
The collector coin paying tribute to the white-tailed eagle is part of a series of coins minted by Mint of Finland by decision of the Ministry of Finance. The series honours the emblematic animals of Finland’s historical provinces. In addition to the Aland islands, provincial animal coins will be struck in honour of Finland Proper, Satakunta, Ostrobothnia, Uusimaa, Lapland, Tavastia and Savonia. “In addition to collectors, these provincial coins interest the residents and admirers of Aland, as well as tourists who have visited the islands. Aland’s own collector coin is a souvenir that reflects the province’s culture and values,” says Mint of Finland CEO Paul Gustafsson.
The coins of Karelia and Savonia were launched on 27 May. The collector coin for Finland Proper will be released in September 2014, with the five remaining coins being slated for launch in 2015.
Aland’s white-tailed eagle coins will be available to order on 18 August from the Mint of Finland online shop and the mint’s retailers.
Click here to read more about Finland’s “Animals of the Provinces” series.
This link will redirect you to the Mint of Finland Online Shop.
For the animal lovers among you, here’s a full documentary feature on the white-tailed eagle on youtube.