1904 Finland 20 Markkaa Gold Coin – Nicholas II | NGC MS62 | Rare Imperial Issue from the Russian Empire
In the world of European numismatics, few coins carry the political, cultural, and historical weight of the 1904 Finland 20 Markkaa Gold Coin Nicholas II. Issued during a period of complex governance—when Finland functioned as an autonomous Grand Duchy under the dominion of the Russian Empire—this gold coin represents one of the final chapters in Finland’s monetary history prior to its independence.
This NGC MS62-certified example stands out not only for its condition but also for its dual symbolism: a coin that bears the image of Tsar Nicholas II, yet proudly displays the Finnish Lion on the reverse. For collectors of imperial coinage, early Nordic currency, or pre-independence political relics, this coin offers unmatched appeal.
You can view or purchase the 1904 Finland 20 Markkaa Gold Coin Nicholas II – NGC MS62 here.
🇫🇮 A Unique Coin From a Transitional Era
Between 1809 and 1917, Finland existed in a curious political state: officially part of the Russian Empire, but operating with significant administrative and economic autonomy. As the Grand Duchy of Finland, it was permitted to mint its own coinage, maintain a localized economy, and retain a distinctly Finnish cultural identity—despite the overarching control from St. Petersburg.
The 20 Markkaa gold coins issued in the early 1900s serve as powerful artifacts of that dual existence. The 1904-dated coin, minted in Helsinki (indicated by the “L” mintmark), is among the most desirable of these transitional issues. It was minted using .900 fine gold and retains the clean, restrained aesthetic typical of Scandinavian coinage, while simultaneously expressing the geopolitical dominance of Imperial Russia.
📌 Coin Specifications
- Country: Finland (Grand Duchy under Russian Empire)
- Year: 1904
- Denomination: 20 Markkaa
- Gold Purity: 90% (0.1867 troy oz actual gold weight)
- Weight: 6.45 grams
- Diameter: 21.3 mm
- Mint: Helsinki Mint (“L” mintmark)
- Obverse: Left-facing bust of Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia
- Reverse: Finnish Lion with sword and crown, surrounded by date and denomination
- Grading: NGC MS62 (Mint State)
- Holder: Tamper-evident slab with unique certification number and barcode
🌍 Why This Coin Is Historically Important
The 1904 Finland 20 Markkaa Gold Coin Nicholas II is significant because it encapsulates a moment in time when Finland’s national identity was both suppressed and quietly asserted. The coin’s obverse, featuring Nicholas II, reaffirms Russian imperial control, but the reverse—with Finland’s heraldic lion—subtly resists that dominance.
Issued just 13 years before Finland’s 1917 declaration of independence, this coin marks the final stretch of the empire’s hold on the region. These were some of the last gold coins minted before the collapse of the Romanov dynasty, the Russian Revolution, and the radical redrawing of national borders across Europe.
💎 Collector Appeal and Investment Value
This coin has appeal across multiple collector segments:
- Imperial Russian collectors, as it features Nicholas II in a non-Russian mint issue.
- Nordic coin collectors, especially those focused on Finnish pre-independence coinage.
- Investors in historic gold, as it contains .1867 oz of gold and has a known low-survival rate in high grades.
- NGC slab collectors, who value the authentication, condition preservation, and re-sell confidence of third-party certification.
In Mint State 62, this coin shows minimal marks, strong strike quality, and preserved mint luster. Coins of this type in mint state are hard to come by, and examples with solid eye appeal are even scarcer. Its presence in a trusted NGC holder further enhances confidence for both collectors and investors.
It is not a budget coin—it is an elite, highly desirable acquisition, sought after for its aesthetic, its rarity, and its powerful place in the historical narrative of Finland and the Russian Empire.
📈 Market Trends and Rarity
While the exact mintage of 1904 20 Markkaa coins is documented, the true number of surviving examples in MS grades is quite low. Many coins were either melted, lost during wartime transitions, or heavily circulated. High-grade specimens like this one have become increasingly expensive and less available, especially as demand for Finnish gold continues to grow among European collectors.
The combination of historical resonance, certified condition, and dual cultural symbolism makes this a long-term blue-chip acquisition in any global gold portfolio.
🧭 Final Thoughts
The 1904 Finland 20 Markkaa Gold Coin Nicholas II is more than just a collector coin—it is a time capsule from an era when imperial power and local identity clashed on both battlefields and in coin designs. It embodies the end of Russian dominance in Finland and the quiet resistance expressed through national symbolism.
Whether you are a historian, investor, or dedicated collector, this coin is one of the most compelling pieces you can add to your collection of European or imperial-era gold.
🔗 Click here to view or acquire the 1904 Finland 20 Markkaa Gold Coin Nicholas II – NGC MS62