REVERED COMPOSER, JEAN SIBELIUS, COMMEMORATED BY THE MINT OF FINLAND

Born in December 1865, the Finnish composer Johan Julius Christian Sibelius would be 150 years old this year and the Mint of Finland are commemorating the occasion with a new coin available in gold and silver.

A composer of the late Romantic period, Sibelius is most known for his set of seven symphonies and was a prolific composer through to the mid-1920s, although he completed no major works for the last 30 years of his life. Some of his other best-known and widely regarded compositions include the sublime Finlandia (video below), the Karelia Suite, Kullervo, and The Swan of Tuonela.

Two versions of the coin will be released, the first being a 10g piece struck in 0.500 (50%) silver. This will have a mintage of 10,000, but in an interesting twist there’ll be 150 coins numbered on the obverse randomly inserted into the run.

The odds aren’t great, but we’d imagine one of these will carry a hefty premium over the €38.00 issue price should you bag one. A look at the gold version lower down shows you the numbering, which isn’t intrusive and is necessary because the coin isn’t thick enough to carry it on the edge.

The second is a 22kt (0.917) gold coin selling for €440.00 and struck in 5.65g to a proof finish. There are 50 numbered gold versions, but unlike the silver coin, these aren’t randomly hidden, but are available seperately for €500, quite a sum for less than a fifth of an ounce. Even though pre-orders only kicked off yesterday, it seems they’ve already sold out.

It’s a nice crisp design and while we’d like to see both coins metal content beefed up for the prices being asked, they’re nevertheless cool coins for the classical music fan.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

The Jean Sibelius collector coin represents Finnishness at its most profound. It is a beautiful and touching gift with a place in the home of any Finnish person or music lover of any nationality.

The collector coin’s obverse depicts the starry sky of Ainola and a copse of pine trees, among which Sibelius was often seen lost in thought. The reverse bears the neck of a violin, the composer’s favoured instrument.

Sibelius left a permanent mark on our hearts

The collector coin struck in honour of the 150th anniversary year of Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) commemorates the master composer’s remarkable oeuvre and influence on the Finnish national character and Finnish classical music. The Sibelius collector coin touches every Finn and represents a piece of Finnishness to people of other nationalities.Sibelius’ compositions are powerful depictions of the birth, soul and vitality of the Finnish identity. The music of Sibelius has spoken to the Finnish people since its composition and has transmitted Finnish national sentiments abroad as well.

Internationally, Sibelius is Finland’s most successful composer. He has been and still is a strong influence on many composers in Finland and abroad.

A Coin Pendant is a unique and valuable piece of jewellery for people of all ages. Set the coin struck in honour of legendary designer Ilmari Tapiovaara in a Coin Pendant for an impressive piece of jewellery for yourself or to give as a gift.

SILVER: The maximum mintage of the EUR 10 silver Jean Sibelius collector coin is 10,000, and 150 coins will be numbered. The number is stamped on the coin’s obverse, and the numbered coins will be mixed into the mintage at random. Proof-quality Jean Sibelius collector coins are minted with a polished die, finished, and placed in a protective clear plastic casing set in a gift box that tells the coin’s story.

GOLD: The beautiful golden Jean Sibelius collector coin is packaged in a protective clear plastic casing set in a wooden box. Each coin includes a certificate of authenticity that tells the coin’s story. The composer’s countenance is immortalised on the lid of the box. The number is stamped on the coin’s obverse.

GOLD OBVERSE (LIMITED NUMBERED ON LEFT)