The Mint of Finland’s first silver commemorative of 2016 pays tribute to a master confectioner called Karl Fazer, who in 1891 opened a confectionary store in Helsinki that remains open to this day. Now one of Finlands most well known brands, Karl Fazer chocolate has become a part of the Finnish national identity. Born on 16 August 1866, this year marks the 150th anniversary of his birth, an event the Mint of Finland have marked with a single coin design available in three versions.

First up is a €10 0.500 silver coin of 10g in weight and a mintage of 10,000. Selling for €38.00, the coin comes boxed, and mixed in with the mintage are just 150 coins that have a serial number struck into the coins reverse. As they’re randomly mixed in, you simply won’t know if you’ll get one until you open the box. The reverse design depicts cocoa pods still attached to the tree, while the obverse depicts the plumage pattern of the Grey Partridge, chosen because of Fazer’s love of birds. The €20 version is identical in design, but is struck in sterling (0.925) silver and weighs 25.5g. Limited to 5,000 pieces, there will also be 150 numbered versions, but in this case they can be bought seperately without going through a virtual lottery. The numbered coins are packaged in a cool glass case, but do carry a premium over the €61.00 standard version by selling for €100.00.

Its’s a typically clean and stylish Mint of Finland design, even though the subject matter is quite esoteric, and like those rare special trading cards inserted into packs, we’d imagine the numbered ones will carry a hefty premium. Available from 28 January, if you want a glass-encased €20 coin, you’ll have to be quick.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Karl Fazer and Finnishness collector coin will be minted in honour of the 150th anniversary of Karl Fazer, a pioneer of the Finnish confectionery industry. The collector coin’s reverse depicts the fruit of the cocoa tree. Karl Fazer was also a great nature-lover and bird enthusiast, and the plumage pattern of the grey partridge is embossed on the collector coin’s obverse to pay tribute to this aspect of his character. The collector coin is designed by Kirsti Doukas.

The maximum mintage of the proof-quality EUR 20 silver Akseli Gallen-Kallela collector coin is 5,000, and 100 coins will be numbered. The coins are numbered on the reverse, and the numbered coins are sold separately in beautiful glass cases. The maximum mintage of the EUR 10 silver Karl Fazer and Finnishness collector coin is 10,000, and 150 coins will be numbered. The number is stamped on the coin’s reverse, and the numbered coins will be mixed into the mintage at random.

Karl Fazer’s name is still on everyone’s lips in Finland

Karl Fazer (1866–1932) was a master confectioner and pioneer of Finnish candy-making who obtained his training abroad. He was ahead of his time in many respects: in addition to the quality of his products, Fazer was equally passionate about packaging, advertising and customer service. The coffee shops and confectioneries opened by Fazer were highly popular and quickly became a part of the cultural life of Helsinki. The café and confectionery on Kluuvikatu 3 in Helsinki was opened in 1891 and remains operational to this day. Fazer established a confectionery factory in 1897.

Karl Fazer was also a great nature-lover and avid amateur ornithologist. His love of birds is reflected in the feather pattern on the reverse of the collector coin designed by Kirsti Doukas. In 2016, 150 years will have passed from the birth of Karl Fazer.

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