Eesti Pank is holding a competition to design silver collector coins for the Finnish Boys, and for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Otto Strandman. Designs for the collector coin for the Finnish boys must be submitted to Eesti Pank by 12.00 on 15 April at the latest, and those for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Otto Strandman must be submitted by 12.00 on 26 April at the latest. The coins will be issued into circulation in the second half of 2025.

The silver coin for the Finnish boys is the first in a new series of collector coins from Eesti Pank dedicated to resistance. The Finnish Boys were Estonians who volunteered to fight for Finland and fought in the Winter War and the Continuation War to resist the attempted occupation by the Soviet Union. An estimated 3500 Estonians fought for Finland. Some of the Finnish Boys also fought against the Soviet Union in Estonia in 1944, giving hope that Estonia would regain its independence.

The collector coin dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Otto Strandman is part of the series of coins dedicated to Estonian statesman and leading members of society. Otto Strandman served as the first chair of the Riigikogu, head of state, Prime Minister, Minister in various capacities, and diplomat.

The prize for the winner of each design competition is 3000 euros, with the second placed design receiving 2000 euros, and the third placed 1000.

Individuals and groups of designers are welcome to participate in the design competitions.

Designs should be submitted to the competitions in black and white; the requirements are described in more detail in the conditions for the competitions.

Each entrant in the competition can submit multiple designs, but variations on a single design are not considered separate designs. Each design must be submitted on a separate page and given a one-word title. Each design should be given a different title or keyword and should be submitted together with the details of the designer in a sealed envelope.

Designs that do not conform to the technical or other terms and conditions of the design competition will be neither considered nor assessed.

Designs for the coin for the Finnish boys should be sent to Eesti Pank by 12.00 noon on 15 April 2024 at the latest.

Designs for the collector coin for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Otto Strandman should be submitted by 12.00 on 26 April 2024 at the latest.

The results of the competition will be announced by Eesti Pank in September 2024 at the latest.

For more on the competitions, see the Eesti Pank website:

1. Silver collector coin for the Finnish Boys
2. Silver collector coin for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Otto Strandman

Suggestions for minting collector and commemorative coins are welcome from everyone, and can be sent through the Eesti Pank website, by email or by post. All the suggestions are considered by an advisory committee invited by Eesti Pank, and their expert opinions and recommendations are used as the basis for the Executive Board of Eesti Pank to decide which coins to mint.

* Eesti Pank commemorates historical events on the coins, and also themes that are alive and relevant for us today. A two-euro coin with a special design dedicated to the Estonian national bird, the barn swallow, was issued into circulation in 2023 for example. Coins with these special designs are called commemorative coins, Commemorative coins give tribute and remember events, people and themes that are important for Estonia and all of Europe.

For further information:
Piret Luhakooder
Cash and Infrastructure Department
668 0791
Email: [email protected]

Gerli Rauk
Communications officer
668 0842
[email protected]
Press enquiries: [email protected]