2005 Finland EURO BU Set, Version 1

• Mint: Mint of Finland
• Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated
• Issue limit: 55,000
• Alloy: Base Metal
• Denomination: Euro
• Number of coins: 8
• Medal included: Yes

With a theme of "Endangered Animals", this annual coin set from the Mint of Finland contains all eight Euro coins with the Finnish national obverse, as well as a cupronickel mint medal struck to support the theme of the packaging.

According to a recent estimate, there are 107 critically endangered species in Finland, where butterflies and insects make up the majority. The arctic fox lives in the extreme northern part of Finland and is the most critically endangered animal in the country, with recent counts of as few as 10-15 foxes left in the wild. Among birds, the white-backed woodpecker, white-fronted goose, dunlin, yellow-breasted bunting, shore lark and terek sandpiper make up the most critical list. In the waters, the arctic char - a fish in the salmon family - is the only fish to be classified as critically endangered.

Efforts are being made to increase the populations of all endangered species, and to raise public awareness of this impending disaster in the natural world.

The mint medal is designed by Hannu Veijalainen and features an arctic fox and a white-backed woodpecker.