Coin of the day, day 1: Helsinki Olympic games 1952

The world’s first modern Olympic coin.

Coin:  Helsinki Olympic Games  

Minting year: 1952 

Silver – FIM500  

Mintage: 86,500 pcs  

Designers: Matti Visanti, Aarre Aaltonen 

Mint: Mint of Finland 

World’s first modern Olympic coin.

The first Finnish commemorative coin was minted in 1951 to celebrate the 1952 Olympic Games. It was also the world’s first modern Olympic coin, which makes it a truly unique piece. Even though commemorative coins have a long history in the global sense, they are still fairly new in Finland. Mint of Finland and Helsinki Olympic games paved the way for all commemorative coins of the following Olympics. 

Plaster model for Helsinki Olympic Games.

Traditionally the making of commemorative coins begin with a plaster model made by an artist. For Helsinki Olympic Games, the commemorative coin design competition was held in 1940. Here are displayed a few original plaster models made by various artists including four entries taking part in 1940 Helsinki Olympic Games commemorative coin design competition. The selected design is second on top of the image. The Helsinki Olympic Games coin was designed by architect Matti Visanti and sculptor Aarre Aaltonen. 

Source: Mint of Finland

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