10 markkaa 1986
Market Prices
91 salesAbout This Note
This 1986 Finnish 10 markkaa note in AU condition represents a classic example of late-20th century Nordic currency design. The obverse features Paavo Nurmi rendered in distinctive blue wavy-line security printing, while the reverse displays the Helsinki Olympic Stadium and the Bank of Finland's heraldic emblem. The note exhibits excellent preservation with no visible wear, creasing, or damage, showcasing the sophisticated geometric and dot-matrix security features that characterize this series.
Common. The 1986 issue of the 10 markkaa P-113 was part of a regular circulation series produced in substantial quantities. eBay market data shows consistent sales in the $2-8 range for circulated to near-uncirculated examples, with even graded specimens (PMG 66-68) typically bringing $15-32. No evidence of limited print runs, recalls, or short-lived circulation suggests this is a standard, widely-available denomination in the Finnish markka series.
Issued in 1986 by Suomen Pankki (Bank of Finland), this note commemorates Paavo Nurmi, the legendary Finnish distance runner and Olympic champion, reflecting Finland's strong athletic heritage during the Cold War era. The reverse features the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, a landmark from the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, symbolizing Finland's international standing and modernization. This denomination and design remained in circulation until the adoption of the euro in 2002, making it part of the final generation of markka currency.
The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of Paavo Nurmi, the Finnish Olympic distance running champion, rendered in innovative wavy-line patterns and dot-matrix security printing in deep blue. The reverse displays the Bank of Finland's coat of arms in the upper left, with the Helsinki Olympic Stadium—Finland's iconic 1952 Olympic venue—represented through fine line mesh work and geometric patterns. Both sides employ concentric wavy lines, dotted security features, and complex background geometric patterns in blue, cyan, turquoise, and white tones, with green undertones on the reverse. The denomination '10' appears prominently on both sides.
FRONT: 'KYMMENEN MARKKAA' (Ten Marks), '10' (denomination), 'SUOMEN PANKKI' (Bank of Finland), '1986' (issue year), serial numbers '1370643442' and '13706342'. BACK: 'SUOMEN PANKKI' (Bank of Finland in Finnish), 'FINLANDS BANK' (Bank of Finland in Swedish), '10' (denomination), 'Kymmenen markkaa Tio mark' (Ten marks in Finnish and Swedish).
Intaglio printing combined with advanced security features including wavy-line patterns, dot-matrix printing, and fine-line mesh work. This multi-color printing technique on blue and white/green underprints was characteristic of 1980s Finnish currency security standards. The note was produced by Suomen Pankki's authorized security printer using state-of-the-art anti-counterfeiting methods standard for the period.
Catalogued as P-113a by PMG. The note displays serial number 1370643442 with a left margin serial of 13706342, characteristic of 1980s Finnish banknotes. No major overprints or signature variants are apparent from the visual analysis. This represents the standard 1986 regular-issue variety with no identified rare printing variants documented for this Pick number.
