2 euro FINLAND (2013) Diet of 1863

in the coin centre with stylised numerals: 1863, of which numeral 6 has a shape of a shoot coming out of a seed; along the bottom edge: SUOMI FINLAND 2013 (Finland in Finnish and Swedish and year of issue); 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 map of Europe; 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:

SUOMI FINLAND *** (Finland in Finnish and Swedish as well as three lion heads)

4 IX 2013

still in circulation

Petri Neuvonen, Luc Luycx (initials LL below letter 'O' in EURO on the reverse)

Suomen Rahapaja Oy (The Mint of Finland), Vantaa (mint mark between SUOMI and FINLAND on the obverse)

2013

1 000 000

Finnish commemorative coin of 2 euro from 2013 commemorates the 150th anniversary of the assembly of the Finnish Parliament of 1863. The diet of Four Estates (acting as a parliament) gathered at the request of Tsar Alexander II. Ever since Finland became part of Russia in 1809, it was only the second meeting of parliament in history, but this time it was a huge step towards the democracy in Finland. For the first time Finnish and Swedish languages were leveled during the session, journalists were invited to show the transparency of the session, and most importantly the regularity of the parliament meetings was introduced. Since then, the Finns have discussed the most important issues of the country every three years on average.

Alexander II opens the Diet of Four Estates in Helsinki on September 18, 1863 (painting by R.W. Ekman).