Insignia of the Order of Saint Anna (RK2009046:1,5,7). Photo: Ilari Järvinen/Finnish Heritage Agency.

Numismatic collections

The most extensive numismatic collection in Finland.

The National Museum of Finland’s numismatic collections have a national responsibility comparable to specialty museums when it comes to preserving Finnish monetary history, decorations and medals related to Finns and Finland. The collection consists of 230,000 items, including coins, notes, tokens, medals and decorations, as well as coinage dies, money boxes and other items related to the minting and use of money.

The collection focuses on objects made and used or otherwise related to Finland, but in addition it includes comparative material as well as separate collections that also contain foreign items.

The numismatic collections consist of three entities: The coin and medal collections of the National Museum of Finland, H.F. Antell's (1847–1893) collection, and the University of Helsinki collection. The last was founded in the mid-18th century as the numismatic collection of the Royal Academy of Turku and transferred to the National Museum in 1920.

The majority of the collection is formed by Finnish coin finds. The objects range from the world’s first coins dating back to the classical period to the latest issues of euros. Some of the objects can be viewed online in the Object of the Month series and the Finna service.

The National Museum of Finland has the largest numismatic reference library in Finland. It covers nearly all of the numismatic books published in Finland and Sweden, as well as the most important foreign publications, which are continuously added to the collection. Customers can use the reference library during office hours on request.

The keeper of the numismatic collections is responsible for the official duties concerning coin finds in cooperation with the Finnish Heritage Agency.

Additional information:

Frida Ehrnsten, tel. + 358 295 33 6398, frida.ehrnsten@kansallismuseo.fi