Description

On 1 September 2015, Mint of Finland released a collector coin in honour of the 100th anniversary of designer, and academic Tapio Wirkkala's birth. The Tapio Wirkkala collector coin pays tribute to the artist's dazzling oeuvre and career.

Tapio Veli Ilmari Wirkkala (1915–1985) was a Finnish designer and sculptor, a major figure of post-war design. The Tapio Wirkkala commemorative coin features the themes that constitute the foundation for the artist's work: craft and nature.

The total mintage of the EUR 20 commemorative coin is 5000 pieces of which 100 pieces are numbered. The coins are numbered on the reverse, and the numbered coins are sold separately in beautiful glass cases.

The Tapio Wirkkala coin bears the Key Flag label attesting to its Finnish origin.

Design: Aimo Katajamäki
Issue date: 01.09.2015

Obverse

Depicts a wader and details of a wooden sculpture.

Since 1952, Wirkkala has worked for the Finnish glass factory Iittala, which has become internationally known through the designs of Wirkkala and above all Alvar Aalto. One of the most famous designs of Wirkkala is the Tapio drinking glass series and his leaf-shaped wooden bowls, the so-called Leaf dishes from the 1950s.

TAPIO WIRKKALA

Reverse

Depicts the hands of the artist, sculpting, shaping and finishing. The logo of the Mint of Finland (lion), country name in Finnish and Swedish and date above. Engraver's initial (K) on the middle left, the value on the bottom.

SUOMI FINLAND 2015
K
20 €

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 25.5 g
Diameter 38.6 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Mint of Finland

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