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The 2 euro coin was minted by Finland in 2013 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of Frans Emil Sillanpää (1888–1964), a prominent Finnish writer and the only Finn to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Obverse
The standard obverse of the 2 euro coin features a map of the EU, 12 stars of the European Union, the Vantaa mint mark, and the year 2013.
Reverse
The reverse features a portrait of Frans Emil Sillanpää in profile, a traditional numismatic depiction of a prominent figure. The inscription "F.E. SILLANPÄÄ”, “SUOMI FINLAND 2013” and the 12 EU stars complete the design.
Historical context
Frans Emil Sillanpää was born on 16 September 1888. His novels – including Righteous Poverty and Meija-Liisa – depict rural Finnish life with subtle psychologism. In 1939, the Swedish Academy awarded him the Nobel Prize “for his profound understanding of nature and his ability to portray the Finnish peasantry and their relationship to nature with extraordinary artistry”.