The Finnish Ministry of Finance has announced that a commemorative €10 silver coin will be issued on the 19th September which marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Juhani Aho (1861 – 1921).
Born Johannes Brofeldt, in Lapinlahti of the Northern Savonia region, he was the first professional Finnish writer who gave a window into everyday life and the landscape of Finland. He was a master of psychological realism and brought other literary elements, such as French modernism, into Finland’s own national literary tradition. Finnish President, Tarja Halonen, is the official patron of the 150th anniversary celebration of Juhani Aho. Coincidentally, the Mint of Finland has its own connections to the writer as Aho was married to Venny Soldan-Brofeldt, the daughter of the Mint’s first director, August Soldan.
The coin, designed by artist Reijo Paavilainen includes an image of a stylised nib of a pen along with the text “JUHANI AHO” to the right of the main design with the years “1861 1921” just to the left. Portions of some of his most well-known writings also appear on a manuscript which is cleverly continued on the reverse of the coin as a continual design. The reverse also includes the text “SUOMI FINLAND” along with the year of issue and the coin’s denomination of €10.
The coin is struck in two fineness variations. The proof example (7,000 examples) is struck in .925 silver while the UNC (8,000 examples) is struck in .500 fine silver. The weight of both coins is 25.5 grams with a diameter of 38.6 mm. The coin can be ordered directly from the Mint of Finland.
For more information on this and other coins produced by the Mint of Finland, please visit their website at: http://www.suomenrahapaja.fi/eng
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