• 5000 of the coins have been minted
• Each coin will cost 55 euros and have a nominal value of 15 euros
• The coin will go on sale at 12.00 on 23 February in the Omniva online shop and the Eesti Pank museum shop

On 23 February Eesti Pank will release a silver collector coin to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Konstantin Päts, one of the founders of the independent, democratic Estonian state. He is considered one of the most important Estonian politicians from between the two world wars. He was the first President of the Republic of Estonia and held the posts of head of state and prime minister several times, and he was elected as a member of the first five Riigikogu parliaments.

The coin shows a portrait of Konstantin Päts, his signature, and a fragment of the lions on the state coat of arms. The silver coin was designed by Heino Prunsvelt and the coins were minted by the Lithuanian mint.

Konstantin Päts is considered the most important Estonian politician from between the two world wars, and he was actively involved through his many different activities in Estonian politics and the social and economic life of Estonia for close to 40 years. He was also a lawyer, a journalist and a businessman.

He was born in Tahkuranna on 23 February 1874, and was one of the founders of the independent, democratic Estonian state as head of the Salvation Committee in 1918, Prime Minister in the Provisional Government, and speaker of the first Riigikogu. He was elected as a member of the Constituent Assembly and the first five Riigikogu parliaments. He served four times as head of state and also held the positions of acting head of state while prime minister, and of state treasurer. After the elections of 1938 he became the first President of the Republic of Estonia. He was arrested by the Soviet authorities in 1940 and deported with his family to Russia. He died in prison in 1956 in Burashevo in the Kalinin District, and his remains were re-interred in 1990 in the forest cemetery in Tallinn.

The silver coin was designed by graphic designer Heino Prunsvelt, who holds a Master's degree in Graphic Design from the Estonian Academy of Arts. He has designed numerous logos and the artwork for multiple national, social and cultural events. Over the years he has designed books, packaging, badges, stamps, and much more, and has taught at the Estonian Academy of Arts.

Further information:

• The coin dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of Konstantin Päts is a collector coin. Collector coins are mostly made of precious metals and commemorate important events or people for the issuing country. Collector coins are only legal tender in the country of issue, They are not intended for circulation, but rather for collecting or as gifts, and their selling price usually exceeds their nominal value.
• The Omniva customer service can be contacted by telephone on 661 6616 or by email at [email protected]. customer service operates on working days from 09.00-20.00, and at weekends and on national holidays from 09.00–15.00.

For further information:
Gerli Rauk
Communications Specialist
Eesti Pank
668 0842
[email protected]
Press enquiries: [email protected]