Eesti Pank will issue into circulation in 2027 a two-euro coin with a special design dedicated to Hiiumaa. This coin will launch the start of a new series from Eesti Pank dedicated to the counties of Estonia. The series of coins dedicated to Outstanding Estonian Women will continue in 2027 with a silver coin to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Seto traditional folkloric singer Anne Vabarna, and the Resistance series of coins will continue with a two-euro coin for the veterans of the Estonian Defence Forces.

The series of coins for the counties of Estonia will highlight their variety and their cultural uniqueness. The first coin in the series will be dedicated to the smallest county in Estonia, Hiiumaa. Hiiumaa is an island with a distinctive landscape and a long maritime history.

The idea behind the series of collector coins dedicated to Outstanding Estonian Women is to highlight those women who have had a major influence on the development of Estonian society. The second coin in the series will be a silver coin issued in 2027 and dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Seto traditional folkloric singer Anne Vabarna. Anne Vabarna was one of the great Estonian folk singers, who preserved and promoted Seto culture, and the songs she created are an important part of the intangible heritage of Estonia. The old style of polyphonic singing still survives today in Setomaa in the 21st century having adapted to cultural changes over time.

A two-euro commemorative coin for the veterans of the Estonian Defence Forces will be issued in 2027 as part of the series of coins dedicated to Resistance. The idea behind the series of collector coins dedicated to Resistance is to recognise activities and groups that in one way or another helped resist the occupation of Estonia and stood up for an independent and free Estonia. The two-euro commemorative coin dedicated to veterans of the Estonian Defence Forces will recognise and honour those who have served the Estonian state and contributed to its security.

BACKGROUND

A series of coins usually consists of at least three collector or commemorative coins that are dedicated to the same theme. Eesti Pank has issued various series of collector coins dedicated for example to the Estonian athletes at the Olympic Games, and to the 150th anniversary of the births of Estonian statesman and leading figures in society. The central bank has also issued coins dedicated to the Estonian national animal, the national bird and the national flower. There is also an entire series of collector coins for the Estonian Hanseatic towns.

The programme of two-euro circulating commemorative coins and collector coins approved by the Eesti Pank Executive Board for 2027 can be found on the Eesti Pank website. Design competitions are held to find the designs for the coins, and then procurements are run to find mints that will make them. After those stages have been completed, production of the coins can start.

Suggestions for minting collector and two-euro commemorative coins are welcome from everyone, and can be sent through the Eesti Pank website. Suggestions for coins to be minted in 2028 can be sent until the end of August 2026. 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. The programme of coins for 2028 will be confirmed by the end of 2026.

Collector coins are minted from precious metals to celebrate historical people and events. They are not intended for circulation and they are only legal tender in the country that issued them. The selling price of collector coins made of precious metals usually exceeds their nominal value.

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. They are intended to commemorate important national or European events or themes.

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