Finland 2015 5€ Ostrobothnia - Animals

The Animals of the Provinces series is the third coin series minted in honour of Finland’s historic provinces. The first collector coin of Ostrobothnia launched by Mint of Finland in 2011 depicts tar burning, which is a traditional Ostrobothnian industry. For the Provincial buildings series, Ostrobothnia received in 2013 a coin commemorating the traditional Ostrobothian house.

Ostrobothnia is one of nine historical provinces in Finland.

On the reverse side of the coin there is the historical province's coat of arms and the face value, 5 EURO.

The coin depicts the stoat.

Quick as a stoat is a familiar phrase to many Finnish people. The stoat, a small member of the weasel family, is lightning fast when threatened. Stoats usually make their nests below ground or in piles of rocks. Come winter, the stoat changes colour from brown to snow-white. Only the tip of the animal’s tail stays black. As the emblematic animal of Ostrobothnia, the stoat reminds us of the ancient livelihood of trapping.

There are nine historical provinces in Finland: Åland, Tavastia, Karelia, Lapland, Ostrobothnia, Satakunta, Savo, Uusimaa and Finland Proper.