Long before the euro came along, Finland had the markka. It wasn’t just money, it was a symbol of Finnish identity and independence. 

In this blog, we’ll explore where the markka came from, how it changed over time, and why it eventually faded away. If you love history and a bit of nostalgia, this one’s for you.

Denominations of Finnish currency

The Finnish markka came in both coins and banknotes. It was divided into 100 pennies (or penniä in Finnish).

Coins:
Over the years, Finland used several coin denominations. These included 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 penniä coins. There were also 1, 5, and 10 markka coins.

Banknotes:
Markka banknotes came in higher values. You could find 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and even 1,000 markka notes.

Each note featured a famous Finnish person or symbol. The designs changed over time, but they always felt very Finnish. 

These coins and notes were used daily, right up until the euro took over in 2002.

Transition from the markka to the euro

The Finnish markka was first introduced in 1860. Finland needed its own money after gaining more independence from Russia.

For over 100 years, the markka was a proud symbol of Finnish identity. It saw Finland through wars, rebuilding, and rapid economic growth. 

In the 1990s, Finland decided to join the European Union. The move set the stage for adopting the euro. 

On 28 February 2002, the markka had its final day. Since then, Finns have used the euro, but many still remember the markka fondly. 

Fun facts about the Finnish markka

The markka had a long and interesting life before the euro came along. Here are some fun bits you might not know:

• The markka was first introduced in 1860, when Finland was still part of the Russian Empire.
• It became a true symbol of independence after Finland gained freedom in 1917.
• In the 1980s and 90s, Finland even had a plastic 10 markka note, one of the first in Europe!
• The last series of markka coins featured nature designs, like swans and bears.
• Even after switching to the euro, the Bank of Finland exchanged markka until 2012.

Exchange your Finnish currency with Leftover Currency

Today, the markka is no longer in use, but if you’ve got some tucked away, don’t worry. At Leftover Currency, we make it easy to exchange old Finnish money.

Whether you’ve got coins, notes, or a mix of both, our online service is simple, secure, and free to use. Just send them in, and we’ll handle the rest.

Takeaways:

The Finnish markka may be a thing of the past, but its story still matters. It represents a proud part of Finland’s history, from independence to innovation.

Whether you’re a collector, a traveller, ot just someone with a few old notes in a drawer, the markka is a fun reminder of a different time.