4202) "The Finnish Boys", "EESTI VABARIIK" ("Estonian Republic"): The Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank) has issued a 15 Euro Silver and Colour Proof Coin in the "Patriot Coin Series": Date/Year of Coin issue: 30.10.2025:
The Bank of Estonia has issued 15 Euro Silver Proof coins dedicated to the memory of the Finnish Boys.
The Reverse of the 15 Euro Silver Proof Coin features a colour design that merges the two country's flags.
The Finnish Boys were Estonians who volunteered to defend Finland and fought in the Winter War as well as in the Continuation War to resist the attempted occupation by the Soviet Union.
This coin is the first in a new series dedicated to resistance and to recognise activities and groups that in one way or another opposed the occupation of Estonia and stood up for an independent and free nation.
With the invasion of Finland by Soviet forces in November 1939, volunteers from Estonia fought along with their Finnish kinsmen after Helsinki refused to cede territory to Moscow.
The Soviet Union used a faked border incident as a pretext for the invasion when they actually wanted to compel Finland to allow a Soviet naval base in Finnish waters.
The invasion occurred two months after Hitler’s Third Reich invaded Poland on a similar border pretext which started the Second World War.
It was during this scenario with Soviet aggression that the fight for Finland’s freedom and the honour of Estonia, the armies of both countries battled against the Red Army but on the part of Estonia, not under the flag of the Third Reich.
Finland’s invasion by Soviet forces which became known as ‘the winter war’ was widely condemned, and the League of Nations expelled the Soviet Union for its actions.
The Finnish army, though significantly smaller, used tactics like guerrilla warfare and ambushes to effectively fight the larger Soviet forces, particularly in the dense forests and winter conditions.
Soviet forces launched a massive artillery bombardment and renewed its assault, eventually breaking through the Finnish defences on the Karelian Isthmus.
Despite their bravery on the battlefield, Finnish soldiers and Estonian volunteers were outnumbered and the war came to an end with the Moscow Peace Treaty in March 1940.
Conditions of the treaty compelled Finland to cede 9% of its eastern territory bordering Russia, including the historic city of Viipuri, now Vyborg. Finland managed to retain its independence but at a high cost.
After the return home of Estonia’s volunteers, they became widely referred to as the ‘Soomepoisid’ or Finnish Boys.
A total of over 3500 Estonians fought for Finland and many of the Finnish Boys also fought against the Soviet Union in Estonia in 1944, giving hope that Estonia would regain its independence after having been invaded by both the Red army and that of the Third Reich.
Ultimately in 1944, Estonia along with the other two Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania were annexed and absorbed into the Soviet Union.
Independence would not be restored in Estonia until August 1991 with a declaration of independence and the eventual collapse of the USSR later that year.
The name "Soomepoisid" still lives on for the volunteers today even though the last Finnish Boy living in Estonia passed away in 2024.
The Coin:
The 15 Euro Silver Proof and Colour Coins have been minted by the Mint of Lithuania at their facilities in Vilnius and on behalf of the Bank of Estonia.
The coin is designed by Kaupo Kangro.
The Reverse of the 15 Euro Silver Proof and Colour Coins features a colour design that merges the Finnish and Estonian flags to symbolise the joint fight of the Estonian volunteers and the Finnish soldiers.
It shows a rocky and snowy landscape with brave men marching to the aid of their ethnic kinsmen.
Above them is the insignia from the Estonian Cross of Liberty that also appears on the Finnish Cross of Liberty.
This was a symbol of Estonian military valour under which the soldiers went into battle.
Next to the insignia and along the upper periphery are the years "1939 – 1944" and to the lower left below the primary design is the text "SOOMEPOISID" together with the coins’ denomination "15€".
The Obverse of the 15 Euro Silver Proof and Colour Coins shows the great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Estonia and the motto of the Finnish Boys shown in lower case lettering, "Eesti auks, tuleviku pandiks!" ("For Estonia's honour and to secure the future!") which is placed along the upper periphery.
The year of issue "2025" is shown in two digits placed on either side of the Estonian crest and the additional text "EESTI VABARIIK" ("Estonian Republic") is shown along the lower periphery below the shield.
Denomination Metal Weight Diameter Quality Maximum Mintage
15 Euro .925 Silver 28.2 g. 38.6 mm. Proof & Colour 4000 pieces
- Available from the 30th October, each encapsulated coin is presented in a custom case accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) at the Omniva online e-webshop and for in-person purchases at the museum gift shop of the Bank of Estonia.
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY informative article. Thanks for sharing this interesting post."
Thank you so much Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Interesting and informative post 👍👍"
Thank you so much Trikha sahab.
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