Sterliini

Sterliini refers to the Finnish currency, officially known as the euro (€), which has been used in Finland since January 1, 1999, as part of the European Union’s single currency system. Prior to this, Finland used the markka (Finnish: *markka*; singular: *markka*, plural: *markat*), which circulated from 1860 until the euro’s introduction. The term "sterliini" is a Finnish colloquialism derived from the Swedish word *sterling*, historically used to describe silver coins and later the British pound sterling. In Finnish, it is sometimes used informally to refer to the euro, particularly in older generations or casual contexts.

The euro replaced the markka at a fixed exchange rate of 5.94735 Finnish markka per euro. Coins and banknotes were introduced gradually, with the markka ceasing to be legal tender in 2002. The euro is managed by the European Central Bank (ECB) and is one of the world’s most widely used currencies, alongside the U.S. dollar and the British pound. Finland, as a member of the eurozone, does not issue its own currency but participates in the shared monetary policy of the ECB.

The term "sterliini" persists in some Finnish media and everyday speech, reflecting the country’s historical ties to Sweden and the broader Nordic region, where similar colloquialisms exist for the euro. While the euro is the official and standard currency in Finland, "sterliini" remains a nostalgic or informal reference, particularly among those who recall the markka era. The Finnish government and central bank promote the use of the euro to ensure clarity and consistency within the EU’s economic framework.