terävalut

Terävalut, also known as "steel coins," are a type of coinage that consists primarily of steel, with a thin layer of copper or nickel on the surface to prevent rust and enhance durability. They were introduced in Finland in 1992 as a response to the high cost of minting coins made of precious metals. The Finnish Markka, the country's former currency, featured terävalut in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 marks. The coins were widely used in circulation and were known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear.

The use of terävalut was not limited to Finland. Other countries, such as Sweden and Norway, also experimented with steel coins during the 1990s. However, the concept did not gain widespread international adoption due to concerns about the coins' durability and the potential for counterfeiting.

The terävalut were gradually phased out as the Euro was introduced in Finland in 2002. The last terävalut were withdrawn from circulation in 2003. Today, terävalut are primarily of historical and numismatic interest, with collectors appreciating their unique composition and the historical context in which they were used.