100 markkaa 1945
Market Prices
14 salesAbout This Note
This Finnish 100 markkaa banknote from 1945 displays the classic design elements of post-war Finnish currency, featuring the national coat of arms on the obverse and an allegorical female figure of Finland on the reverse. The note is graded VF (Very Fine), showing light creasing and minor foxing consistent with age and circulation, yet remaining well-preserved with no major damage. The fine line engraving and ornate geometric security patterns are clearly visible, representing quality Bank of Finland craftsmanship during the early post-independence period.
Common. While this is a genuine post-war Finnish note, the eBay market data shows consistent sales of VF examples at approximately $27, with earlier sales of F condition notes ranging from $7-$15. Current 2016 catalogue value for VF is listed at $10. These price points and the regular appearance of examples in circulation indicate this is a common denomination from the 1945 issue with substantial surviving examples. The PMG population report confirms only one variant, but no indication of rarity.
Issued in 1945 by Suomen Pankki during Finland's post-World War II recovery, this note reflects the nation's reestablishment of monetary sovereignty following the war. The prominent Finnish coat of arms—featuring the lion rampant—and the classical allegorical female figure representing Finland (Suomi) embody national identity and continuity. The bilingual inscriptions in Finnish and Swedish acknowledge Finland's dual linguistic heritage and cultural identity during this transitional period.
The obverse features the Finnish coat of arms—a lion rampant displayed in a shield with decorative crown and ornamental borders—positioned on the left side, with the denomination '100' prominently displayed in an elaborate oval ornamental frame at center. The reverse depicts an allegorical classical female figure representing Finland (Suomi), shown seated with flowing robes and crowned with a laurel wreath, enclosed within an ornate circular frame with geometric border designs. Four denomination tablets marked '100' appear in the corners of the reverse. Both sides employ fine line engraving with repeating security patterns—geometric designs on the obverse and wave patterns on the reverse—rendered in green-grey tones on an off-white/cream background.
Front side: 'SUOMEN PANKKI - FINLANDS BANK' (Bank of Finland, in Finnish and Swedish), '100' (denomination), 'SATA MARKKAA HUNDRA MARK' (One hundred marks in Finnish and Swedish), 'Litt. B' (Letter B series designation), 'AV1490074' (serial number). Back side: '100' (appears in all four corners), 'SATA MARKKAA' (One hundred marks in Finnish), 'HUNDRA MARK' (One hundred marks in Swedish), '1945' (year of issue).
Intaglio (engraved) printing, characteristic of high-security Finnish banknotes of this era. The fine line engraving throughout, ornate geometric and wave-pattern backgrounds, and sharp detail definition all indicate traditional engraving and intaglio press production. The Bank of Finland employed the Finnish state printing authority for this issue.
This example is identified as Pick-88, Letter B series, with serial number AV1490074. The 'Litt. B' designation indicates the series letter variety. No overprints or special markings are observed. The 1945 date represents the single year of issue for this design type.
