• The coin will enter circulation through banks and shops on 12 May
• One million of the coins will be minted
• There will be 12,000 two-euro coin cards, which will sell for 12 euros
• The coin and coin card will go on sale at 11.00 on 12 May in the Omniva online shop. Coins and coin cards will be available from the Eesti Pank museum from 11.00 on 13 May

Eesti Pank is issuing a two-euro coin dedicated to the Estonian national bird, the barn swallow, on 12 May, the day before World Migratory Bird Day, as part of the series of circulating coins showing Estonian national symbols. “This coin dedicated to the national bird shows how we value the symbols of Estonian traditional culture and their eternal connection to our natural environment”, said Rait Roosve, head of the Cash and Infrastructure Department of Eesti Pank, adding that the numbers of barn swallows have fallen in recent decades and so the coin is intended to inspire people to take greater notice of the national bird and remind them how important it is that we all help to preserve our environment.

The coin dedicated to the national bird shows a barn swallow flying over Estonia and two others sitting on an electricity line. The arcing semi-circles and swooping diagonal lines in the design reflect the movement, dynamism and flow of the bird in flight.

A total of one million coins have been minted, of which 12,000 are BU (brilliant uncirculated) quality and are sold on a coin card. The coins were minted by the Mint of Finland. The two-euro commemorative coins with the special design are valid as legal tender throughout the euro area and they are issued into circulation through banks and shops.

The coin was designed by Kaupo Kangro, whose main work is architectural design. Designing coins is a hobby and he has entered several design competitions, including several previous Eesti Pank coin design competitions.

The coin card is designed by one of the designers of the Estonian kroon banknotes, Vladimir Taiger.

Migratory Bird Day

The second Saturday of May, which is 13 May this year, is marked as World Migratory Bird Day, and BirdLife Estonia is inviting people to celebrate the day watching migrating birds from observation towers. Birdwatchers will be welcomed on that day at observation towers across Estonia by guides who they can watch the birds with, finding out more about the local birds and spending a spring morning among the twittering of the birds. Which observation tower in Estonia has the most species of birds will also be established. The list of towers where birds can be observed with a guide can be found in Estonian on the BirdLife Estonia website www.eoy.ee.

Sales of the coin

• Coin rolls and coin cards are on sale in the Omniva online shop from 11.00 on 12 May.
• Coins and coin cards will be available from the Eesti Pank museum at Estonia pst 11, Tallinn from 13 May during its opening hours from Tuesdays to Fridays 12.00-17.00 and on Saturdays 11.00-16.00. The Eesti Pank museum shop can be contacted on 6680 650.
• The Omniva customer service can be contacted by telephone on 661 6616 on working days from 09.00-20.00, and at weekends and on national holidays from 09.00–15.00, or by email at [email protected].

What are commemorative coins?

Commemorative coins are two-euro coins that are released into circulation, and that have a special commemorative design on the national side in place of the usual national design to commemorate a particular significant national or European event or topic. The coins are all legal tender throughout the euro area. so they can be used for payments like any other euro coin.

Additional information:
Viljar Rääsk
Head of Communications
Eesti Pank
6680 745, 5275 055
Email: [email protected]

Press enquiries: [email protected]

World Migratory Bird Day contact:
Eva-Liisa Orula
Communication specialist at BirdLife Estonia
[email protected]
Tel: 5342 2139