Description

This silver coin pays tribute to Juho Kusti Paasikivi, one of Finland's most significant presidents. Released in 1970 to commemorate his 100th birthday, the coin goes beyond simple remembrance, honoring Paasikivi's enduring impact on Finnish history.

Juho Kusti Paasikivi (1870–1956) was a prominent Finnish politician who served as the seventh president of Finland from 1946 to 1956. He began his political career representing the Finnish Party until its dissolution in 1918, after which he joined the National Coalition Party. Paasikivi held various significant positions, including senator, member of parliament (1907–1909, 1910–1914), envoy to Stockholm (1936–1939) and Moscow (1940–1941), and Prime Minister of Finland (1918 and 1944–1946). His influential tenure spanned over fifty years, during which he made substantial contributions to Finnish economics and politics.

Paasikivi is widely recognized as a key architect of Finland's foreign policy after World War II. Notably, the Paasikivi Society (Paasikivi-seura), established in 1958 under the leadership of Jan-Magnus Jansson, aimed to preserve Paasikivi's political legacy, particularly during the Cold War era. The society advocated for 'fact-based foreign policy thinking' in Finland and played a significant role in promoting Finland's policy of neutrality on the international stage.

Engraver: Heikki Häiväoja