Description

Uno Cygnaeus (1810–1888) is known as the father of Finland’s public school system. Cygnaeus was a travelled clergyman and Master of Science whose calling was the improvement of folk schooling. In the course of his work, he studied schools and teaching in Alaska and St. Petersburg and made study trips to the Baltic states and Central Europe, among other places. The proposal for the organisation of folk schooling in Finland, published by Cygnaeus in 1861, was a turning point for public schooling in Finland.

The plan proposed identical basic schooling for everyone and emphasised the role of handicrafts and practical skills in addition to theoretical subjects. Indeed, Finland was the first to introduce handicrafts (sloyd) into the curriculum, where it remains to this day. In 2016, 150 years will have elapsed since the passing of the Folk School Decree.

The maximum mintage is 10,000, and 100 coins will be numbered. The number is stamped on the coin's reverse, and the numbered coins will be mixed into the mintage at random.

Engraver: Petri Neuvonen
Issue date: 17.03.2016

Obverse

Design is replete with symbolism related to teaching and learning. Many generations of young Finns have learned to read under the wing of the ABC Rooster, a well-known symbol of education in Finland. The Mint of Finland logo (lion) and the engraver's initial (N) are on the left.

N UNO CYGNAEUS
abc
1+2

Reverse

Children have put up the year 1866, the year in which the Folk School Act was passed, on the classroom window. Country name in Finnish and Swedish, value and issue year around.

2016
SUOMI
1 8
6 6
10 EURO
FINLAND

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.500
Weight 10 g
Diameter 28.5 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Mint of Finland

Related coins

Uno Cygnaeus and Folk Schooling

Silver, 25.5 g, ⌀ 38.6 mm