The Commemorative Currency Board of the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence, authorized by the Ministry of Finance, organized a design competition for the implementation of the artistic design of the Sámi culture commemorative coin. The commemorative coin is designed by Inka Kangasniemi, a member of the Inari Sami people. Sámi culture commemorative coin, the first 3D modeled commemorative coin in the history of the Mint of Finland.
The won of competition came by a concept that highlights the close relationship that the Sami people enjoy with nature. The silver Sami Culture commemorative coin has been released on Sami National Day, 6 February 2018. By decree of the Ministry of Finance, Mint of Finland will mint three versions of the coin, with nominal values of EUR 10 and EUR 20. The mintage of the commemorative coin is 4,000 of which 100 are numbered.
The Sámi Culture commemorative coin pays tribute to the Sámi people's special relationship with nature. The traditional Sami territory, Sápmi, is spread over the territories of four states. There are approximately 10,000 Sami people living in Finland.
The reverse of the commemorative coin reminds us of the power of the sun in regulating the Sami year. The Sami are children of the sun – the moment when the first rays of the sun break through after the long polar night is still emotional to them.
Sami fishing culture is vibrant, and the obverse of the commemorative coin depicts a traditional form of fishing, juomustus, or net fishing beneath the ice. The triangles featured on the commemorative coin are a common shape and motif in the Sami community, symbolising, for example, the traditional Sami village, siida.