These two had been eluding me for sometime. Finland 1946 S 5 Markkaa KM #31 AL-Bronze UNC versions retail for $100.00 US Finland 1946 S 5 Markkaa KM #31a Brass UNC versions retail for $7.00 US That's a big difference in price. Kinda strange considering I saw many AL-Bronze versions in XF to UNC over the years, but the Brass versions we're hard to find in XF or UNC. Most I came across were in Fine condition. I'm happy now. :hail:
I dunno. Weird, huh? Some people just can't wait I guess. Yeah...In the past, I've had a few girlfriends change compositions mid year.
I asked a serious question. You say you've been searching for these for "sometime", yet you can't explain why the composition was changed???!!!
Apologies for my after 3 pint reply from the pub last night. Well then Sir. Here we go. :thumb: Post WWII the Finnish economy was in recession. Brass is cheaper than AL-Bronze so the mint changed composition mid year. Also the higher values (10 & 20 Markkaas) were not in production after the war. With in six years from 1946 to 1952 the Finnish government revalued it's currency and the 5 Markkaa in 1952 was minted in iron then later in nickel plated iron. The higher values of 10 and 20 Markkaa resumed in AL-Bronze but were smaller in size. Collectors of Finnish coins highly value the 5 Markkaa that was produced during and just after WWII because it was the highest value coin for general circulation, plus the strikes are crude because of the complications of minting coins during the war.
