2 euro FINLAND (2005) 50 Years of Finland in the UN

in the coin centre a dove of peace made of puzzle pieces flying leftwards; along the bottom edge: FINLAND - UN and year of issue 2005; at the edge a ring of twelve five-pointed stars - symbol of the European Union

left from the coin centre face value 2, on the right inscription: EURO; in the background of the inscription a simplified map of Europe showing borders of countries - members of the EU in 1999; in the background of the map vertically six parallel lines ending on both sides with five-pointed stars (the reverse is common for all euro coins)

reeded with concave inscription:

(YK - YHDISTYNEET KANSAKUNNAT in Finnish and FN - FÖRENTA NATIONERA in Swedish - Unites Nations 1945-2005 and three lion heads)

25 X 2005

still in circulation

Tapio Kettunen (initial K below the puzzle piece at the right edge of the obverse), Luc Luycx (initials LL below letter 'O' in EURO on the reverse)

Rahapaja Oy (The Mint), Vantaa (above UN on the obverse initial M of the mint director Makkonen)

2005	1 948 394	M	+ 42 006 in annual boxed sets
			+ 9 600 in commemorative sets

On Finnish coins produced after 1945 the following initials of directors of the Finnish Mint can be found:

• S - Isak Gustaf Sundell (in years 1912 - 1947)

• L - Vesa Uolevi Liuhto (1948)

• H - Peippo Uolevi Helle (1948 - 1958)

• S - Allan Alarik Soiniemi (1958 - 1975)

• K - Timo Kauko Koivuranta (1976 -1983)

• N - Reino Tapio Nevalainen (1983 - 1987)

• M - Reino Tapio Makkonen (1987 - 2006)

The United Nations (UN) became the successor to the League of Nations on October 24, 1945. Hence this year placed on the coin edge. Due to the unpredictability of Finland's largest neighbor - the Soviet Union, Finland was following principles of international neutrality. Making sure that the UN has nothing to do with the military alliance only in 1947 Finland applied for membership in the organization. Cold War political games of world powers delayed the admission of Finland for eight years. On December 14, 1955 Finland eventually became a member of the United Nations. Finnish commemorative coin of 2 euro from 2005 commemorates the 50th anniversary of this event.