Bu Sets

Finland

Description
Russarö 59° 46,00’N, 22° 56,90’ E The 2010/I coinage includes all Finnish metal circulation coins for 2010. The set comes with a Russarö mint medal, which was designed by artist Hannu Veijalainen. It is the fifth commemorative medal with the \\\"Finnish Lighthouses\\\" theme. The five-storey octagonal stone lighthouse was erected in 1863. There was a desperate need for a new lighthouse, as many ships had already run aground in the area. Its powerful lenses reflected the light as far as 12 nautical miles. Later on, the island acquired a modern signal mast and a fog cannon, which was fired in fog and mist twice every fifteen minutes. Located at the narrowest point of the Gulf of Finland, the island is like a lock. It has been important in terms of naval defence, and was the last glimpse of Finland for many emigrants who set sail for the new continent. Today, Russarö is the outpost of the Porkkala Coastal Battalion and the drill area of the Finnish Navy. It has also been open to the public since 2009, though with limited access.