Finland's monetary unit was the markka from 1860 until the introduction of the euro. The markka was divided into 100 pennies. A monetary reform was implemented in Finland at the beginning of 1963. This involved the introduction of a new markka, the value of which corresponded to one hundred of the old markka; accordingly, one new penny equalled one old markka.
Markka banknotes
The last markka banknotes in circulation until euro cash changeover were from the 1986 series. The banknotes put into circulation since 1991 still had the issue year of 1986 printed on them, but they were furnished with enhanced security features and carried the text ‘Litt. A’ in the lower left-hand corner of the obverse.
The 20 markka note was put into circulation in 1993. In 1997 the note was furnished with a hologram. Notes put into circulation since 1997 carry the text ‘Litt. A’ on the obverse.
All markka banknotes were 142 X 69 mm.
The last markka notes in circulation were in the denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10 markka.
The pictorial themes of the banknotes portrayed the main periods in Finnish history. The designs of the 10, 20 and 50 markka notes reflected Finland's period of independence (from 1917 onwards), the 100 and 500 markka notes related to the period of autonomy (1809–1917) as part of the Russian Empire, and the 1000 markka note represented the period when Finland belonged to the Kingdom of Sweden (up to 1809).
Markka coins
The markka and penni coins in use prior to euro cash changeover were minted in the1990s. From 1990 onwards, the coins put into circulation were 50 and 10 penni coins. The coins introduced from 1993 onwards were 10, 5 and 1 markka coins. These coins were minted every year from their original year of issue until 2001.
Markka collector coins have been put into circulation in Finland since 1952, initially every now and then, but later almost annually.
Markka banknotes and coins ceased to be legal tender from 28 February 2002.