TCV Roundtable Blog

100 Greatest Modern World Coins Series: Grand Duchy of Finland 1912-L Gold 20 Markkaa

A coin minted under the last Russian czar and the last of a mint master combination has found its way on to Whitman Publishing’s 100 Greatest Modern World Coins list. Sitting just below the middle of the pack, authors Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker help us understand the founding of its nation and the story behind its creator, leading to its rarity.

#64 – Grand Duchy of Finland 1912-L Gold 20 Markkaa

After the Russian Empire and France signed a peace treaty in 1807, the two countries became allies against the French’s strongest enemies, Great Britain and Sweden. Soon after, Russia invaded Finland, a chess move against Sweden that would not go as smoothly as they hoped. To quell resistance, Russia offered the Finnish people religious freedom and self-governance in exchange for not only loyalty to the Russian Empire but ultimately help against Sweden. Thus, in 1809...read more