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Saturday 12 May 2018

717) Suomenlinna Fortress & its Architect Augustin Ehrensvard: A 10 Euro Silver Coin minted by the Mint of Finland under the "Europa Coin Programme": "Baroque and Rococo periods": Release date: 18.05.2018:

717) Suomenlinna Fortress & its Architect Augustin Ehrensvard:  A 10 Euro Silver Coin minted by the Mint of Finland under the "Europa Coin Programme": "Baroque and Rococo periods": Release date: 18.05.2018:

For more posts on the Europa Coin Programme, please visit the following links:






The Mint of Finland is issuing a collector coin which is part of the Europa Series, which focus on various eras of Art and Architecture featured on the seven circulating coin denominations of the Euro Currency Banknotes. The theme of the coins issued under the "Eurostar programme" during 2018 is "Baroque and Rococo periods".

The Europa Coin Programme:

The Europa Coin Programme is an initiative dedicated to issuing collector coins in precious metals which celebrate European identity.

Coins issued under this series are issued by the European Union's Eurozone member states and the issuing authorities of European Union member countries voluntarily contribute coins the Europa Coin Programme.

The Europa Star Series highlights European achievements, anniversaries and common history or cultural ties.

Several countries have taken part in this programme since its inception in 2004.

Some coins are denominated in Euros, while others are denominated in other currencies. These coins are all legal tender.

The Eurostar logo:

                                            The Eurostar logo

The Eurostar logo is the special mark used on these coins which signify that they have been issued under the "Euro Coin Programme". The design of the logo is a stylised combination of an "E" (often used to symbolise a member nation, for example on the EU Flag).

It is a requirement that the coins must show the Eurostar distinctly and visibly to the naked eye, but not be integral to the coin's design.

Other standard features for coins issued under the programme:

a) The coins must be at least .900 fine silver or gold and be of Proof quality

b) The coins should be approx. "crown sized" which allows for national traditions and customs

c) The coins must show the Eurostar logo distinctly.

The themes over the past years for the Eurostar Programme coin issues are:

2004 - EU Enlargement

2005 - Peace and Freedom

2006 - Distinguished European figures

2007 - European Realisation

2008 - Cultural Heritage

2009 - European Heritage

2010 - European Architecture

2011 - European Explorers

2012 - European Visual Arts

2013 - European Writers

2014 - European Composers

2015 - Anniversary of the UNO

2016 - The Ages of Europe

2017 - The Age of Iron and Glass

2018 - Baroque and Rococo Periods

The Coin issued by the Mint of Finland under the Programme in 2018:

The Baroque style, originating from 17th century Italy, brought extravagance and rich ornamentation to Art and Architecture. Its successor, the Rococo style , sought to achieve elegance and beauty and is principally identified with the French court of the 18th century.

The Baroque and the Rococo styles have found a Scandinavian interpretation in - Sea Fortress Suomenlinna. 

The Baroque style is reflected in many parts of the Suomenlinna fortress and the decorative ideals of Rococo are reflected in the living areas of the fortress.

About Suomenlinna:

Suomenlinna (Finnish) or Sveaborg (Swedish) is an inhabited sea fortress built on six islands which now form part of the city of Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site . Originally named "Sveaborg" (meaning "Fortress of Svea") or "Viapori" as called by Finnish-speaking Finns, it was renamed "Suomenlinna" (Castle of Finland) in 1918 for patriotic and nationalistic considerations.

The Swedish Crown commenced the construction of the fortress in 1748 as protection against Russian expansionism. The general responsibility for the fortification works was given to Augustin Ehrensvard.

The original plan of the bastion fortress was strongly influenced by the ideas of Vauban, the foremost military engineer of that time, albeit adapted to a group of rocky islands.

In addition to the island fortress itself, sea-facing fortifications on the mainland were  placed, so as to ensure that enemy attacks from the beach-head would be successfully repulsed.

Adds the UNESCO BOOK titled "Treasures of the World" in my personal library:

" Located on islands off Helsinki, Suomenlinna is one of the largest maritime fortresses in the world. Built in the second half of the eighteenth century by Sweden, when Finland was part of the Swedish realm, the purpose was to link and fortify several islands so that entry into the city's harbour couldbe controlled. The work began in 1748 under the supervision of Swedish Admiral Augustin Ehrensvard, who adapted Vauban's theories to the very special geographical features of Helsinki.

By the time of his death in 1772, Ehrensvard had produced the chain of forts, collectively called Sveaborg (Swedish Fortress), that were to protect the approaches to Helsinki.

Following Finland's independence (1918), the name was changed to Suomenlinna (Fortress of Finland) and 6 kms of walls and 190 buildings have been preserved.

Svenborg was built to help Sweden counter the ambitions of Russia, whose principal military and naval base in the Gulf of Finland was Kronstadt, commissioned by Peter the Great to protect the city of St. Petersburg. However, the fortress was occupied by the Russians after the war of 1808-89 despite its reputation as being invulnerable".

Present Day:

Suomenlinna is a popular tourist attraction.

Suomenlinna has been known as an Avant-garde location for culture. In the mid-1980s the Nordic Arts Centre was established on the Island. Several buildings have been converted into artists' studios. Theatre performances are quite popular with visitors and theatre-goers. 

The Commemorative Coin:

                         The Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver Coin


The Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver Commemorative Coin bears the portrait of the Architect of Suomenlinna - Augustin Ehrensvard - and the cartographic image of the fortified island.  The peripheral inscriptions are: "AUGUSTIN  EHRENSVARD", "10 EURO", "SUOMENLINNA" (in Finnish) "SVEABORG" (in Swedish). 

The commemorative coin has been granted the Key Flag Symbol of the association for Finnish Work. (The Key Symbol appears on the lower periphery before the numeral 10). On top is the mint mark of the Finnish Mint - a Crowned Lion Rampant.

                   The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver Coin


The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver Commemorative Coin depicts the Coin's shared Europa Star symbol and Finland's National Lion Emblem. The shared theme with the European countries of the EU is "Baroque and Rococo Ages of Europe".

The peripheral inscriptions are - "EUROOPAN AIKAKAUDET EUROPEISKA EPOKER" (meaning "European Eras/Time Periods"). 

The specifications of this coin are:

Denomination: 10 Euro; Metal Composition: .925 Silver (Ag); Diameter/Size: 33.0 mm; Weight: 17.0 grams; Coin Quality: Proof; Year stamp:2018; Mintage: 8000 pieces; Issue Date: 18.05.2018.


The commemorative coins are individually packaged in  casings set in a birch veneer frame crafted by Finnish carpenter Wooden Oy. The frame as surrounded by a ribbon and the package contains a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).









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